Designation of the State Birds:
HB 81 would create a new section of Florida Statutes to formally designate two state birds: the American flamingo as the official Florida state bird and the Florida scrub-jay as the official Florida state songbird. The bill also states that these new designations would replace the long-standing designation of the mockingbird as Florida’s official state bird, which dates to a 1927 Senate concurrent resolution.
The measure is primarily symbolic and ceremonial, updating state emblems rather than changing regulatory policy. If enacted, it would amend Florida law to recognize the flamingo and scrub-jay in statute effective July 1, 2025, and would supersede the prior nonstatutory designation of the mockingbird. The bill does not appear to impose obligations on agencies, businesses, or residents beyond the official recognition of these birds.
HB 81 would add a new statutory provision, section 15.0352, Florida Statutes, establishing the American flamingo and Florida scrub-jay as official state symbols and expressly overriding the earlier mockingbird designation. Its legal effect is limited to state symbolism and the codification of official emblems, with no apparent fiscal, regulatory, or enforcement consequences for the public or state agencies beyond updating references to Florida’s official birds.
Based on the available context, the bill appears to have been a symbolic proposal with no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials. Its eventual death in the Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee suggests it did not advance, but there is no transcript evidence of strong opposition or support. Overall, the measure seems to have been treated as a low-conflict emblem bill rather than a controversial policy change.
The only clear point of contention inherent in the bill is the replacement of the mockingbird as Florida’s official state bird, since the bill would elevate the American flamingo instead. That change could prompt disagreement among those attached to the historic 1927 designation or those who prefer the mockingbird as a traditional state symbol. The bill also separates the state bird role into two categories by creating a new official state songbird designation for the Florida scrub-jay, which may have been intended to preserve recognition for a native species while changing the primary bird emblem.