North Dakota State House Declares People Superior to Animals and Inanimate Objects

Bill aims to block 'rights of nature' movement in the state

Badlands from the Painted Canyon Overlook in Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, North Dakota. Nagel Photography/Shutterstock

The North Dakota House of Representatives passed a personhood bill on Feb. 2, declaring humans superior to animals, environmental elements, artificial intelligence, inanimate objects, corporations, and governmental entities.

The measure, House Bill 1361 (pdf), passed by a vote of 87–7. The bill was sponsored by Republican state Rep. Cole Christensen.