Senate Bill 44 aims to regulate the keeping of fowl, specifically chickens and quail, by property owners in residentially zoned areas in Wisconsin. The bill prohibits local governmental units and sewerage districts from banning the keeping of up to four fowl by property owners or certain lessors. However, it allows these entities to implement specific regulations, such as requiring permits for fowl keepers, notifying adjoining landowners, establishing reasonable location guidelines for fowl housing, prohibiting roosters, and enforcing cleanliness standards.

The bill introduces a new section, 66.0443, to the statutes, defining "fowl" and "local governmental unit," and clarifying the rights of property owners and lessors regarding fowl keeping. It emphasizes that while local regulations can be imposed, they cannot outright prohibit the keeping of a limited number of fowl, thus balancing property rights with local governance.