Bill > AB408

This bill designates Lactococcus lactis, a type of bacteria commonly used in cheese and yogurt production, as the official state microbe of Wisconsin. The legislation amends Wisconsin's state statutes to create a new section specifically naming this microorganism as a state symbol and updates the Wisconsin Blue Book requirements to include information about the state microbe alongside other existing state symbols like the state bird, tree, and flower. Lactococcus lactis is particularly significant to Wisconsin given the state's renowned dairy industry, as this bacterium plays a crucial role in the fermentation process used to produce cheese and other dairy products. By officially recognizing this microbe, the bill highlights the importance of microbiology in Wisconsin's agricultural and food production heritage, while also adding an educational element to the state's symbolic representation.

Government Affairs

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab408