SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1320

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, March 20, 1997

                   Education, April 1, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the state insect.

Brief Description:  Designating Anux junius as the official insect of the state of Washington.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by Representatives L. Thomas, Cooke, Cairnes, D. Schmidt, Keiser, Robertson, Blalock, Ogden, Constantine, Veloria, Dunn and Anderson).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  3/20/97 [w/oRec-EDU].

Education:  4/1/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That it be referred to Committee on Education without recommendation.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Haugen, Horn and Swanson.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Hochstatter, Chair; Finkbeiner, Vice Chair; Johnson, McAuliffe, Rasmussen and Zarelli.

Staff:  Karen Carter (786-7424)

Background:  The Legislature has designated an official state tree, flower, grass, bird, fish, gem, dance, song, folk song, flag, seal, tartan, and arboretum for Washington.  There is no official state insect. 

Many other states have designated an official insect.  The most popular choice has been the honeybee, selected by Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, New Jersey, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont. Other honored insects include the monarch butterfly (Alabama), the European "praying" mantis (Connecticut), the ladybug (Massachusetts and Ohio), the swallowtail butterfly (Oregon), the lady beetle and the firefly (Pennsylvania and Tennessee).

Dragonflies (Odonata) are considered to be beneficial because of the large number of insect pests that they consume.  The Dragonfly Society of the Americas indicates that over 400 different species can be found in North America.  "Darner" is one family of dragonflies (Aeshnidae) and the "Common Green" (Anax junius) was first sighted and recorded by a man named Drury in the year 1773.

Summary of Bill:  The Common Green Darner dragonfly is designated the official state insect of the state of Washington.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The process to bring this measure before the Legislature has taught students about civics, geography, agriculture and the environment.  It is a model, applied learning experience to encourage in the state's K-12 public schools.  About 25,000 students from over 100 school districts throughout the state participated in the selection of the green darner dragonfly for designation.  Passing the bill sends an important message to young people:  that we listen to you and welcome your participation in community affairs.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Les Thomas, prime sponsor (pro).