summary
Introduced
09/04/2025
09/04/2025
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to designation of the state birds; creating s. 15.0352, F.S.; designating the American flamingo as the official state bird and the Florida scrub-jay as the official state songbird; providing that such designation supersedes the designation of the mockingbird as the official Florida state bird; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new section in Florida Statutes to officially designate two state birds: the American flamingo (scientifically known as Phoenicopterus ruber) as the official state bird, and the Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) as the official state songbird. The legislation explicitly replaces the previous state bird, the mockingbird, which was originally designated by a Senate Concurrent Resolution in 1927. By creating Section 15.0352 in the Florida Statutes, the bill formally recognizes these two bird species as having special significance to the state. The new designations will take effect on July 1, 2026, providing ample time for public awareness and official implementation. The bill reflects a desire to highlight bird species that are more closely associated with Florida's unique ecosystem, with the American flamingo being a distinctive pink-feathered bird often associated with the state's tropical environment, and the Florida scrub-jay being a species endemic to the state's specific scrub habitat.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs
Sponsors (21)
Chip LaMarca (R)*,
Jim Mooney (R)*,
Yvette Benarroch (R),
Linda Chaney (R),
Lindsay Cross (D),
Kimberly Daniels (D),
Tiffany Esposito (R),
Peggy Gossett-Seidman (R),
Mike Gottlieb (D),
Kim Kendall (R),
Rob Long (D),
Johanna López (D),
Danny Nix (R),
Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R),
Rachel Plakon (R),
Juan Porras (R),
Mike Redondo (R),
Alex Rizo (R),
Debra Tendrich (D),
Susan L. Valdés (R),
Meg Weinberger (R),
Last Action
Received (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/11 |
| Analysis - State Affairs Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/11/Analyses/h0011c.SAC.PDF |
| Analysis - State Affairs Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/11/Analyses/h0011b.SAC.PDF |
| Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/11/Analyses/h0011a.NRD.PDF |
| Analysis - Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/11/Analyses/h0011.NRD.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/11/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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