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Committee advances bill to designate hemlock varnish shelf as Pennsylvania state mushroom
Summary
The House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee reported House Bill 1090 as amended, which would make the hemlock varnish shelf Pennsylvania’s official state mushroom; Representative Steele said the designation followed a public selection by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program.
The House Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development Committee reported House Bill 1090 as amended, a measure to designate the hemlock varnish shelf as the official state mushroom of Pennsylvania.
Representative Steele, the bill’s sponsor, offered Amendment A03420, which Josh, the committee staff member, summarized as changing the statutory definition of “mushroom” from “transitory fruiting bodies of fungi” to “visible bodies of fungi.” The amendment drew no substantive opposition and was adopted; the committee then reported the bill as amended with no negative votes recorded.
"Mushrooms are literally the life support of forests," Representative Steele said in brief remarks, arguing the designation honors Pennsylvania’s conservation heritage and outdoor recreation economy. He told colleagues the candidacy for the state mushroom had been selected through a public process run by the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program.
Representative Rivera offered brief support, saying educators would welcome the recognition. The chair called the roll after discussion; committee members recorded no negative votes and the bill was reported as amended.
The committee moved on after reporting the bill; the transcript does not record a floor date or further procedural steps.
