HB 400 — An Act designating the passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) as the official extinct species of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   369

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 400
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY STAMBAUGH AND ZIMMERMAN, JANUARY 28, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAME AND FISHERIES, JANUARY 28, 2025


                                     AN ACT
 1   Designating the passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) as the
 2      official extinct species of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
 3      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 4   hereby enacts as follows:
 5   Section 1.   Findings and declarations.
 6      The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
 7          (1)     The passenger pigeon was once an abundant native
 8      species of this Commonwealth.
 9          (2)     The passenger pigeon contributed greatly to the
10      early history of this Commonwealth, including through hunting
11      for food and sport.
12          (3)     The legacy of passenger pigeons in this Commonwealth
13      endures through numerous places named in their honor.
14          (4)     At one time, there may have been more passenger
15      pigeons in North America than all other birds in the world
16      combined.
17          (5)     The extinction of the passenger pigeon helped
18      contribute to awareness and support for preservation of other
1      endangered species.
2   Section 2.   Official State extinct animal.
3      The passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) is designated
4   as the official extinct species of the Commonwealth of
5   Pennsylvania.
6   Section 3.   Effective date.
7      This act shall take effect immediately.




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