OklahomaOklahoma names four insects as state symbols starting November 2026
Beginning November 1, 2026, Oklahoma’s law recognizes two kinds of bees, a mantis, and a scarab beetle as official state symbols.
What it does
Starting November 1, 2026, the law gives four insects official state titles recognizing agricultural pollination, native insects, insects that hunt other insects, and soil conservation.
Argument forOfficial state titles could help Oklahoma residents learn about insects’ roles in pollination, hunting other insects, and soil conservation.
Argument againstPeople seeking habitat protection may find the law too limited: it gives insects titles but requires no steps to protect them.
More detail
Oklahoma assigns four insects official state titles. The European honeybee is the state agricultural pollinator. The American bumblebee is the state native insect. The Carolina mantis is the state predator insect. The rainbow scarab is the state soil conservation insect. The four designations take effect November 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 11Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/07/2026Became Law
- May 5Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- May 5Signed, returned to Senate
- May 5Enrolled, to House
- May 4Referred for enrollment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 4Signed, returned to Senate
- May 4Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 89 Nays: 2Major
- May 4Coauthored by Representative(s) Alonso-Sandoval
- May 4General Order
- Apr 14CR; Do Pass Commerce and Economic Development Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Commerce And Economic Development Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 9Policy recommendation to the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight committee; Do Pass TourismMinor
- Vote recorded Tourism Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 30Referred to TourismMinor
- Mar 30Second Reading referred to Commerce and Economic Development OversightMinor
- Mar 3First ReadingMinor
- Mar 3Engrossed to HousePassed House
- Mar 2Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 2Measure passed: Ayes: 48 Nays: 0Passed Senate
- Mar 2General Order, Amended
- Feb 18Placed on General Order
- Feb 16Coauthored by Representative Eaves (principal House author)
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 16Reported Do Pass Agriculture and Wildlife committee; CR filedMinor
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to Agriculture and WildlifeMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Senator Bullard
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
Environment & EnergyAgriculture