State: symbol; Karner blue butterfly; designate as the official state butterfly. Creates new act.
Summary
House Bill 4601 designates the Karner blue butterfly (Plebejus melissa samuelis) as the official butterfly of the State of Michigan. The bill is a symbolic measure that adds a new state designation rather than regulating conduct, funding a program, or changing eligibility for any public benefit.
The bill provides that the designation takes effect 90 days after enactment. By creating this official state symbol, the measure would add the Karner blue butterfly to Michigan’s roster of state emblems and could be used in educational, ceremonial, and promotional contexts.
Impact
HB4601 would create a new act in Michigan law establishing the Karner blue butterfly as the official state butterfly. It does not amend existing regulatory or appropriations statutes, but it would formally add a state symbol to the body of Michigan law and could affect how state agencies, schools, and civic organizations reference official state emblems.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the measure appears to be noncontroversial and ceremonial in nature. Bills designating state symbols typically receive broad support because they do not impose costs or substantive policy changes, and there is no evidence in the available record of organized opposition or divided sentiment.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the available materials. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes, there is no documented debate over the choice of the Karner blue butterfly, the need for an official butterfly designation, or any fiscal or legal concerns. Any disagreement, if it existed, is not captured in the provided record.