HI HB1582

Proposes a constitutional amendment to Article I, Section 2 of Hawaii's Constitution to add access to clean drinking water, meaningful health care, and quality education as inherent and inalienable rights of individuals.

Amends existing constitutional language by adding these three rights alongside the current rights of enjoyment of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, and acquiring and possessing property.

Legislature findings cite contaminated water supplies in Hawaii from cesspools and fuel tanks, America's poor education rankings (40th in math globally), and expensive healthcare with poor outcomes as justification for the amendment.

References President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1944 "second bill of rights" proposal and notes that most modern western nations include healthcare, education, and clean water rights in their constitutions.

Requires voter approval through a statewide ballot question asking whether the state constitution should be amended to ensure these three rights are inherent and inalienable.