Natural Resources and the Public Estate Amendment

HJR 17 proposes adding Section 23 to West Virginia's Constitution, establishing a new right for all residents to a clean and healthy environment - including clean air, pure water, a stable climate, and preserved natural and scenic qualities. It declares the state's public natural resources (like forests, rivers, and minerals) as common property belonging to all people, including future generations, and requires the state to act as a trustee by conserving and protecting these resources. This constitutional amendment must be approved by voters in the 2026 general election to take effect.