Senate Bill 44, introduced by Senator Cabral-Guevara and co-sponsored by several representatives, aims to regulate the keeping of fowl, specifically chickens and quail, in residential areas across 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 on properties zoned for residential use. However, it allows these entities to implement specific regulations, such as requiring permits for fowl keepers, notifying adjoining landowners, imposing reasonable location regulations for fowl housing, prohibiting roosters, and enforcing cleanliness standards.

The bill establishes a new section, 66.0443, in the statutes that defines "fowl" and "local governmental unit," clarifying the rights of property owners and lessors regarding fowl keeping. It also notes that while local governments cannot outright prohibit the keeping of a limited number of fowl, they retain the authority to enforce reasonable regulations to ensure compliance with community standards and neighborly considerations.