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HB 551

AN ACT proposing to amend Section 1 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to the environment.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sarah Stalker

Establishes in the Kentucky Constitution a guaranteed right to a healthy environment and designates natural resources as common property, with the state as trustee to conserve them

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Bill Summary · HB 551

Bill Summary: HB 551 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

  • Proposes an amendment to Section 1 of the Kentucky Constitution to establish a constitutional right to a healthy environment.
  • Declares Kentucky’s natural resources (including air, water, fauna, climate, and public lands) as the common property of all people, including future generations.
  • Establishes the Commonwealth as trustee of the environment and its resources, with a duty to conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all people.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 2 (amendment text) adds an Eighth Right:
    • “The right to a healthy environment, including a right to clean air, pure water, and ecologically healthy habitats.”
    • Explicitly characterizes the Commonwealth’s natural resources as common property of all people, including generations yet to come.
    • Requires the Commonwealth to conserve and maintain the environment and its resources for the benefit of all people, acting as trustee.
  • Section 3: Submits the amendment to voters for ratification or rejection using the process for constitutional amendments in Kentucky.
  • Sections 4–5: Establish procedural mechanics for publication and timing:
    • Publication to occur no later than the first Tuesday in August before the election at which the amendment is to be voted.
    • The Secretary of State must certify the amendment to county clerks, and ballots must reflect the amendment for voters in the next regular election for General Assembly members.
    • Balloting and publication procedures align with existing constitutional amendment processes (Sections 256/257, KRS 118.415).
  • Section 6: Name of the act — “Legacy Amendment.”

Who would be affected

  • General electorate: would vote on a constitutional amendment at the next suitable statewide election (November 2026, per provided material) to recognize and enshrine a right to a healthy environment.
  • County clerks and local election administrators: responsible for publishing, certifying, and printing ballot language, and for implementing any ballot-format changes necessitated by the amendment.
  • Local governments and governing bodies: potential impact on environmental policy, regulatory priorities, and long-term management of natural resources due to a newly elevated constitutional right.
  • No immediate fiscal effects are mandated beyond typical costs associated with ballot changes and publication, though recognizing a right to a healthy environment could influence future environmental and resource-management policy.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Submission to voters: to be decided at the next general election in which members of the Kentucky House are elected (reference to constitutional amendment timing). The fiscal notes indicate the 2026 general election as the intended window.
  • Publication deadline: no later than the first Tuesday in August preceding the election.
  • Certification and ballot labeling: Secretary of State must certify to county clerks by specified deadlines (second Monday after the second Tuesday in August before years without a presidential-election- year or the Thursday after the first Tuesday in September in presidential years).
  • Ballot form: amended language and the question presented to voters must appear on ballots (paper or electronic) as applicable.

Fiscal and local government considerations

  • Local governments note that adding a constitutional amendment to the ballot incurs minimal additional costs, but there are typical election-related expenses for ballot programming and printing.
  • Balloting costs may vary by county due to ballot format changes; examples cited show modest estimated costs (range roughly $1,700 to $4,500 in sample counties for ballot-category changes).

Bottom line

HB 551 seeks to enshrine in the Kentucky Constitution a guaranteed right to a healthy environment and to designate natural resources as the common property of current and future generations, with the Commonwealth acting as trustee to conserve and maintain these resources. If enacted, the amendment would be presented to voters at the next eligible statewide election (likely November 2026), following specific publication and certification procedures.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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