The new bill authored by State Sen. Chris Larson in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to officially recognize the rusty patched bumble bee as Wisconsin’s state native insect and include it in the Wisconsin Blue Book, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature’s official website, the bill was described as follows: “designating the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect”.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill designates the rusty patched bumble bee, scientifically known as Bombus affinis, as the state native insect of Wisconsin. It also mandates that the Wisconsin Blue Book, a comprehensive source of the state’s facts and symbols, include information about this newly designated state symbol alongside other state symbols such as the state song, dance, beverage, and various state animals and plants. This action is part of an effort to recognize and preserve the wildlife heritage of the state. There is no specified effective date in the bill’s text.
The bill was co-authored by Representative Deb Andraca (Democrat-23rd District), Senator Dora E. Drake (Democrat-4th District), Senator Melissa Ratcliff (Democrat-16th District), Senator Kelda Roys (Democrat-26th District), Senator Jeff Smith (Democrat-31st District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), and Representative Jill Billings (Democrat-95th District), along 29 other co-sponsors.
Chris Larson has authored or co-authored another 49 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Larson graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 2007 with a BA.
Larson, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2011 to represent the state’s 7th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Jeffrey Plale.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB319 | 06/12/2025 | Designating the rusty patched bumble bee as the state native insect |
| SB314 | 06/04/2025 | The pupil participation limit in the state parental choice program |
| SB233 | 04/29/2025 | Inducements to sign or refrain from signing nomination papers, recall petitions, and certain other petitions |
| SB165 | 03/27/2025 | Eliminating daylight saving time in Wisconsin |
| SB150 | 03/21/2025 | Passing legislation to reduce carbon emissions |
| SB149 | 03/21/2025 | Requiring the legislature to convene an extraordinary session if an executive order of the president of the United States freezes federal aid to the state |
