In the footsteps states like Ohio and Florida, Missouri is considering a bill to ban “nature rights”. “Nature rights” are legal constructions by which “nature” (including rivers, plants, rocks, &c.) has legal rights and can by human proxies who act on behalf of “nature” to sue to stop anyone from doing anything with any part of nature.
The operative sections of the bill, HB 54, as introduced:
3. Nature or any ecosystem shall not have standing to participate in or bring a civil action in any court of this state.
4. (1) No person on behalf of or representing nature or an ecosystem shall bring a civil action in any court of this state.
(2) No person on behalf of or representing nature or an ecosystem shall intervene in any manner, such as by filing a counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party complaint, in any civil action brought in any court of this state.
(3) Any plaintiff bringing a civil action shall be human and shall not represent nonhuman entities.
The bill can be read below:
