everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Bi-partisan Sponsorship
Ceremonial

HB1842

To Amend The Law Concerning The State Bird; And To Change The State Bird.

Introduced

Last Action (April 3, 2023): Recommended for study in the Interim by Joint Interim Committee on STATE AGENCIES & GOVT'L AFFAIRS- HOUSE

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1842 proposes an amendment to Arkansas state law to change the official state bird. The legislation seeks to replace the mockingbird with the painted bunting as the designated state bird. The bill involves a direct amendment to Arkansas Code § 1-4-118, which currently identifies the mockingbird as the state's official avian symbol. If passed, the painted bunting would become the recognized state bird for all official purposes.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

Proponents of the painted bunting, including birdwatching enthusiasts, conservation groups, and individuals who support updating state symbols to reflect regional biodiversity or specific aesthetic preferences, would benefit from this change.

Who Might Suffer?

Those who advocate for the preservation of current state symbols and the mockingbird's established status as the state bird may be negatively impacted, as the bill would remove a long-standing historical designation.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us