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SCR 124

Condemns President Trump's decision to withdraw U.S. from Paris Climate Accord.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gordon Johnson and 2 co-sponsors

Condemns the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord and urges the President to rejoin, signaling support for international climate commitments.

Reported out of Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · SCR 124

Summary — SCR 124 (Concurrent Resolution)

Title: Condemns President Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. from Paris Climate Accord
Classification: Concurrent resolution (symbolic, non‑binding)
Subject: Environment, Federal relations
Introduced: March 7, 2025
Primary sponsor: Sen. Wakai
Status (as reported): Reported out of Senate committee; Senate adopted an amended form (SD1) and transmitted to the House (early April 2025). Verify final amendment text — see note below.

Purpose / Intent

SCR 124 is a legislative resolution that formally condemns the President’s January 20, 2025 Executive Order withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Accord and urges the President to rejoin the agreement. The resolution states the Legislature’s position that U.S. withdrawal worsens climate risks, harms economic and diplomatic standing, and conflicts with state law and multistate commitments.

Key findings cited in the resolution

  • The Paris Agreement (signed by 195 countries) aims to keep global warming well below 2°C above pre‑industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.
  • Signatories pledge ongoing, science‑based reductions in greenhouse gases.
  • New Jersey (the resolution’s authoring state) previously enacted P.L.2018, c.3 to align state policy with the Paris goals and is part of the U.S. Climate Alliance (a group of states representing a large share of U.S. population and economic output).
  • The Executive Order withdrawing the U.S. will, the resolution asserts, increase climate‑related harms, weaken U.S. leadership in clean energy, and damage diplomatic credibility.

Main provision

  • The Legislature “condemns” the federal decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord and formally “urges” the President to rejoin the Agreement.

Required actions / notifications

  • The Clerk is directed to transmit copies of the resolution (as filed) to the President and Vice President of the United States and to every member of Congress elected from this state.

Effect and limitations

  • SCR 124 is a concurrent resolution expressing the Legislature’s opinion; it does not change federal or state law and carries no binding legal obligations.
  • Its primary effect is political and symbolic: to register the state legislature’s opposition, influence public debate, and signal support for re‑engagement with international climate commitments.

Procedural notes / related measures

  • Introduced March 7, 2025. Reported out of the Senate committee and placed on second reading. Senate adopted an amended form (SD1) and transmitted the measure to the House (April 1, 2025).
  • Related / companion measures listed: HCR 157, SR 104, ACR 154.
  • Important: The legislative file also contains a different SD1 text (establishing a Hawaii “SPEED” permitting task force). That appears to be from an unrelated SCR 124 of another jurisdiction and may have been appended in error. Readers should confirm the text of the SD1 amendment adopted by the Senate to ensure the resolution’s final language.

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

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