LOCALIZE IT: Lawmakers rarely miss a chance to debate the virtues of official state symbols

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:

When state legislatures convene, it doesn’t always have to be about taxes, tariffs and heart-wrenching testimonies from constituents calling for policy changes. The debates around adopting official state symbols offer levity along with valuable civics lessons for students. They also create a rare space where politicians can find common ground. In New Mexico, lawmakers from all sides of the aisle rallied around a fourth grader’s proposal for designating tortillas as the state’s official bread. Georgia in recent days passed legislation to recognize cornbread as an official staple there. Oregon lawmakers are deciding if they want T-bone steaks on the state symbols menu, while Bigfoot could join the list of symbols in California.

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READ AP’S STORY

Tortillas fall flat in New Mexico, but will California add Bigfoot to its list of state symbols?

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FIND YOUR STATE: STATE SYMBOLS UNDER CONSIDERATION OR RECENTLY ENSHRINED

Visit Congress.gov to find links for legislative websites for each U.S. state and territory. From there, you can search specific states for bills or resolutions proposing new official state symbols. Recommended search phrases include “state symbol” and “official symbol.”

While official state symbols are decided through statehouses, some states list them through their state library, secretary of state or state archives so check these sites for your state. For example, here’s a list of the state symbols for North Carolina on the secretary of state page and symbols for California on the state library page. The organization State Symbols USA also offers comprehensive lists of official symbols for each U.S. state and territory.

Here’s a list of some state symbols under consideration or recently approved by state legislatures:

CALIFORNIA: Lawmakers are considering adding two things to their state list: solar energy and Bigfoot. California has the country’s largest solar market, according to industry groups. As for the legendary creature, Bigfoot’s proponents say it’s part of popular culture and inspires searches that boost tourism in rural parts of the state.

COLORADO: The state’s list of symbols now includes Agaricus julius, a mushroom once mistaken as “The Prince mushroom” that supporters say plays a vital role in high-elevation spruce and fir forests.

GEORGIA: Lawmakers have passed legislation that would recognize cornbread as the state’s official bread.

IOWA: Lawmakers are considering a resolution designating the regal fritillary as the official state butterfly.

MICHIGAN: There are dueling butterfly proposals in Michigan, with black swallowtails and monarchs duking it out.

MINNESOTA: Lawmakers are mulling adopting an official state fossil — a giant beaver that was about the size of a small bear and roamed the area during the last ice age. It’s part of a campaign led by the Science Museum of Minnesota. Minnesota might also adopt a whole constellation, with legislation pending that would add Ursa Minor to that state’s list.

NEW MEXICO: Lawmakers approved a measure that would make tortillas the official state bread, which would expand the list of official symbols that honor the state’s culinary culture. The governor vetoed the measure before a bill signing deadline. In 2023, New Mexico became the first state to adopt an official aroma — green chiles roasting in the fall.

NORTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers are considering adopting the Moravian star, a multi-pointed decoration that symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem and has become synonymous with the Christmas season.

OREGON: There’s already an official state nut, fruit and pie. But adopting the T-bone would recognize the role that cattle has played in Oregon’s development and its contribution to the economy, supporters say.

TENNESSEE: It’s all about Nashville hot chicken where a proposal calls for making the popular dish an official state food, joining hot slaw and Memphis barbecue.

TEXAS: Texas is considering adding the cannon as an official gun. The Lone Star State already has an official handgun — the Colt Walker pistol. But those who introduced this year’s resolution say historic weapons such as the cannon are powerful reminders of the state’s struggle for freedom. That includes the first battle of the Texas Revolution, when settlers coined the phrase ”Come and Take It” during a skirmish with the Mexican military over a bronze cannon.

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CONSIDER THESE REPORTING THREADS

How many state symbols does your state have and when was the last time lawmakers considered proposals that would add to the list? Are the efforts driven by students or other associations such as industry trade groups, clubs or state museums?

If the symbols involve popular foods, local restaurants are a good place to talk to people about the importance of the food to a state’s culinary culture. University professors, scientists, historians, gardening groups and other associations can help with context about symbols, whether they be mushrooms, minerals or beloved children’s books that might be up for consideration.

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Localize It is a reporting resource produced by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to Katie Oyan at koyan@ap.org.