summary
Introduced
09/15/2025
09/15/2025
In Committee
01/30/2026
01/30/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits a city, village, town, or county from enacting a Xrights of nature ordinance,Y meaning an ordinance conferring legal rights to a natural resource to exist, to be protected against pollution, or to maintain a healthy ecosystem. For further information see the local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill prohibits local governments (cities, villages, towns, and counties) from enacting "rights of nature" ordinances, which are defined as legal provisions that would grant natural resources the right to exist, be protected from pollution, or maintain a healthy ecosystem. Specifically, the bill creates a new section of Wisconsin statutes (66.0132) that explicitly forbids political subdivisions from passing such ordinances. The terminology is precise, defining "political subdivision" as any city, village, town, or county, and "rights of nature ordinance" as a legal instrument that would essentially give natural resources legal personhood or protection rights. This legislation appears to preemptively block local governments from creating laws that would provide expanded legal protections for natural environments beyond existing environmental regulations, effectively maintaining the traditional legal status of natural resources as property rather than entities with inherent rights.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (10)
Elijah Behnke (R)*,
Lindee Brill (R)*,
Joy Goeben (R)*,
Nate Gustafson (R)*,
Clint Moses (R)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Amanda Nedweski (R)*,
Chuck Wichgers (R)*,
Steve Nass (R),
Cory Tomczyk (R),
Last Action
Laid on the table (on 02/19/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab421 |
| AB421 ROCP for Committee on Judiciary | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/judiciary/1968880.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - AB421: Fiscal Estimate From DOR | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab421/ab421_dor.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB421.pdf |
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