Wisconsin Assembly introduces bill to expand chicken-keeping rights for residents

The Assembly Committee on Local Government convened on March 19, 2025, to discuss Assembly Bill 42, which aims to standardize regulations for raising chickens across Wisconsin municipalities. The bill seeks to ensure that all residents have the right to raise fowl on their property, similar to existing ordinances in cities like Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Madison, which recently increased its cap on chickens to eight.

The bill allows municipalities the flexibility to impose regulations, such as prohibiting roosters, requiring permits, and enforcing cleanliness standards. However, it establishes a baseline requirement that municipalities cannot completely prohibit residents from raising chickens. Representative Sherwell, the bill's author, noted that the removal of ducks from the bill was a compromise to gain support from Milwaukee officials.

During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding the timing of the bill in light of the H5N1 avian flu outbreak. Representative Anderson questioned whether this was the right moment to introduce such legislation. In response, Sherwell emphasized the importance of local egg production, especially given rising egg prices due to the flu's impact on commercial flocks.

The discussion also touched on the definition of "reasonable regulations," with legal counsel clarifying that such regulations must not effectively prohibit chicken-keeping. Representative Jacobson suggested including provisions for fencing types, reflecting local preferences.

While some representatives expressed support for the bill, others voiced concerns about imposing a one-size-fits-all policy across diverse municipalities. Representative Road for Allegheny highlighted the need for local control, suggesting that incentives might be a better approach than mandates.

In conclusion, the committee's discussions underscored the balance between local autonomy and state-level regulations, with a focus on ensuring that all Wisconsin residents can utilize their property for personal food production. The bill will continue to be refined as it moves through the legislative process, with further discussions anticipated on how to best empower local governments while protecting individual rights.