AB 421 Wisconsin Assembly · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Relating to: prohibiting rights of nature ordinances. (FE)

AB 421 prohibits cities, towns, and counties from enacting "rights of nature" ordinances that grant legal rights to natural resources like rivers or forests. The bill defines such ordinances as those conferring rights to exist, be protected from pollution, or maintain healthy ecosystems. It creates a new state law (66.0132) banning these local measures, preventing municipalities from using this approach to legally protect natural areas. The bill was introduced in September 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Bill status failed 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Sep 15, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee on Rules
lower
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Report passage recommended by Committee on Judiciary, Ayes 4, Noes 2
lower
Sep 15, 2025
Introduced
Introduced by Representatives Goeben, Brill, Moses, Gustafson, Murphy, Behnke, Nedweski and Wichgers; cosponsored by Senators Nass and Tomczyk
lower
8 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors