HB 182 -- OFFICIAL STATE GRASS

CO-SPONSORS:  May, Viebrock, Moore

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 20 to 0.

This bill names the native grass known as "Big Bluestem"
(Andropogon gerardii) as Missouri's official state grass.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that Big Bluestem is a native grass
species that has played an important historic role in creating
deep, rich prairie soils.  It allows soils to hold water
efficiently, reduces erosion, and provides quality forage for
both native prairie wildlife and domestic livestock.

Testifying for the bill were Representative May; Josh Miller;
Mitchell Spring; Christine Schmidgall; Department of
Conservation; Kimberly Thompson; Daniel Almekinder; Brody
Cadwallader; Cody Whitman; Andrea Sherod; Drew Hagni; Shane
Brazzle; Autumn Bumgardner; Rachel Hawley; Sarah Sagel; Samantha
Davis; Anthony Miller; Tony Palermo; Brittany Smith; Michelle
Sharp; Jayne Macormic; Brittany Dodd; Zach Underwood; Alexandria
Skriver; Brooke Stevenson; Jessica Perona; James Trager; Missouri
Native Plant Society; and Missouri Prairie Foundation.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Terry Finger, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am