MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Gov. Tony Evers is defending a decision to reintroduce an effort to add gender-neutral language in state law, including changing the word "mother" to "inseminated person."

Gov. Evers' state budget lists a "gender neutral terminology" section that seeks to recognize same-sex marriage by altering references of "mother" and "father" to “person” and “spouse.” The budget explains the move is designed to "provide greater flexibility" and "inclusion" for all couples.  

The budget document "defines ‘spouse’ as a person who is legally married to another person of the same sex or a different sex and replaces every reference to ‘husband’ or ‘wife’ in current law with ‘spouse.’"

The one alternative facing the biggest criticism from Republicans is changing "mother" to "inseminated person" when discussing the topic of artificial insemination.

State and national Republicans slammed Evers’ proposal that he's included in executive budget bills before.

Billionaire Elon Musk called it "messed up" and former Packers quarterback Brett Favre tweeted it was "nonsense."

Evers defended the changes by arguing they're designed to provide legal clarity in state law for families and those who use IVF.

"What we want is legal certainty that moms are able to get the care they need," Evers told reporters in Wausau on Monday. "That's it. End of story."

The governor also criticized Republicans for politicizing the issue and accused them of "lying."

“What the Republicans say is a lie, so of course I'm pretty PO about that,” he said. “It gives people using IVF legal certainty…Moms are moms. Dads are dads.”

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said the proposal made Wisconsin "a national embarrassment."

"It's really one of those times where you have an answer to a problem that doesn't exist," Vos told reporters Tuesday. 

The Republican Governors Associated called Evers proposal "insane" and labeled it as "woke."

"Tony Evers is either caving to the most radical elements of his party or he's entirely asleep at the wheel as Democrat activists use his budget proposal to push an insane social agenda on Wisconsin," said Kollin Crompton, Rapid Response Director at the Republican Governors Association.

The discussion comes amid a much broader national debate around transgender rights. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender adults and minors from participating in girls' and women's sports.

The move prompted the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) to issue a new ruling banning transgender athletes from competing in female competitions across the state.