Amended IN Assembly March 19, 2025 Amended IN Assembly February 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 581Introduced by Assembly Member BennettFebruary 12, 2025An act to add Section 425.16 to the Government Code, relating to state government. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 581, as amended, Bennett. State shrub.Existing law establishes the state flag and the states emblems, including, among other things, the golden poppy as the official State Flower, the California redwood as the official state tree, and purple needlegrass as the official State Grass.This bill would establish the big berry bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) as the official state shrub.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a)Arctostaphylos glauca, or big berry manzanita as it is commonly known, is the most extensive and widespread large manzanita found in the state, populating chaparral communities from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into northern State of Baja California, Mexico.(b)Manzanitas are known by the public as being the most characteristic native plant species of Californias most extensive ecosystem, the chaparral.(c)Arctostaphylos glauca is a beautiful, long-lived, drought-tolerant shrub species that provides important watershed values for the State of California. This shrub is also a fire-resistant species and can be used in fire-safe landscape designs.(d)The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca was used extensively by many California Native American communities as a food source. The fruit was also eaten by Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear. The prefix of Arctostaphylos, arktos, is in fact Greek for bear. The fruit remains an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral.(e)Because of its stunning red bark, graceful tree form, and large size, Arctostaphylos glauca is a statuesque and memorable species that is easily recognized by the public. As such, the shrub brings the public closer to nature.(f)Arctostaphylos glauca reflects Californias Spanish heritage through its common name manzanita, meaning little apple.(g)Because many citizens do not recognize the natural resource and public heritage values of Arctostaphylos glauca and may mistakenly destroy the species, it is important to recognize the plant as a symbol of Californias characteristic shrubland ecosystem.(h)With fire continually threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed, it is essential California recognizes the precious natural resource and heritage values this shrub species represents. (a) Manzanitas are an iconic native plant species within one of Californias most extensive ecosystems, the chaparral.(b) With roots in California that date back over a million years, Arctostaphylos glauca is specifically suited for Californias topography. This long-lived shrub features broad-reaching roots that provide watershed protective qualities and aid in preventing soil erosion.(c) The increase in fire frequency is threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed. Recognizing the natural resource and heritage of this shrub species is one part of preservation. (d) Arctostaphylos glauca, or bigberry manzanita, as it is commonly known, is an extensive and widespread large manzanita, populating chaparral habitats from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into the northern State of Baja California, Mexico. (e) The common name of the genus Arctostaphylos is manzanita, which means little apple in Spanish. Arctostaphylos directly translates to bear grape in Greek with the prefix arktos meaning bear and the suffix staphylos translating to bunch of grapes. These linguistic connections have ties to Californias heritage. (f) The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca has been used by Native American communities as a food source. Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear, also relied upon the fruit as a source of food. The shrub continues to be an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral. (g) Declaring the Arctostaphylos glauca a state species is one step in spreading awareness of its important role in Californias natural landscape. SEC. 2. Section 425.16 is added to the Government Code, to read:425.16. Big berry Bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) is the official state shrub.
Amended IN Assembly March 19, 2025 Amended IN Assembly February 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 581Introduced by Assembly Member BennettFebruary 12, 2025An act to add Section 425.16 to the Government Code, relating to state government. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 581, as amended, Bennett. State shrub.Existing law establishes the state flag and the states emblems, including, among other things, the golden poppy as the official State Flower, the California redwood as the official state tree, and purple needlegrass as the official State Grass.This bill would establish the big berry bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) as the official state shrub.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly March 19, 2025 Amended IN Assembly February 24, 2025
Amended IN Assembly March 19, 2025
Amended IN Assembly February 24, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 581
Introduced by Assembly Member BennettFebruary 12, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Bennett
February 12, 2025
An act to add Section 425.16 to the Government Code, relating to state government.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 581, as amended, Bennett. State shrub.
Existing law establishes the state flag and the states emblems, including, among other things, the golden poppy as the official State Flower, the California redwood as the official state tree, and purple needlegrass as the official State Grass.This bill would establish the big berry bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) as the official state shrub.
Existing law establishes the state flag and the states emblems, including, among other things, the golden poppy as the official State Flower, the California redwood as the official state tree, and purple needlegrass as the official State Grass.
This bill would establish the big berry bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) as the official state shrub.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a)Arctostaphylos glauca, or big berry manzanita as it is commonly known, is the most extensive and widespread large manzanita found in the state, populating chaparral communities from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into northern State of Baja California, Mexico.(b)Manzanitas are known by the public as being the most characteristic native plant species of Californias most extensive ecosystem, the chaparral.(c)Arctostaphylos glauca is a beautiful, long-lived, drought-tolerant shrub species that provides important watershed values for the State of California. This shrub is also a fire-resistant species and can be used in fire-safe landscape designs.(d)The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca was used extensively by many California Native American communities as a food source. The fruit was also eaten by Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear. The prefix of Arctostaphylos, arktos, is in fact Greek for bear. The fruit remains an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral.(e)Because of its stunning red bark, graceful tree form, and large size, Arctostaphylos glauca is a statuesque and memorable species that is easily recognized by the public. As such, the shrub brings the public closer to nature.(f)Arctostaphylos glauca reflects Californias Spanish heritage through its common name manzanita, meaning little apple.(g)Because many citizens do not recognize the natural resource and public heritage values of Arctostaphylos glauca and may mistakenly destroy the species, it is important to recognize the plant as a symbol of Californias characteristic shrubland ecosystem.(h)With fire continually threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed, it is essential California recognizes the precious natural resource and heritage values this shrub species represents. (a) Manzanitas are an iconic native plant species within one of Californias most extensive ecosystems, the chaparral.(b) With roots in California that date back over a million years, Arctostaphylos glauca is specifically suited for Californias topography. This long-lived shrub features broad-reaching roots that provide watershed protective qualities and aid in preventing soil erosion.(c) The increase in fire frequency is threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed. Recognizing the natural resource and heritage of this shrub species is one part of preservation. (d) Arctostaphylos glauca, or bigberry manzanita, as it is commonly known, is an extensive and widespread large manzanita, populating chaparral habitats from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into the northern State of Baja California, Mexico. (e) The common name of the genus Arctostaphylos is manzanita, which means little apple in Spanish. Arctostaphylos directly translates to bear grape in Greek with the prefix arktos meaning bear and the suffix staphylos translating to bunch of grapes. These linguistic connections have ties to Californias heritage. (f) The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca has been used by Native American communities as a food source. Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear, also relied upon the fruit as a source of food. The shrub continues to be an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral. (g) Declaring the Arctostaphylos glauca a state species is one step in spreading awareness of its important role in Californias natural landscape. SEC. 2. Section 425.16 is added to the Government Code, to read:425.16. Big berry Bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) is the official state shrub.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a)Arctostaphylos glauca, or big berry manzanita as it is commonly known, is the most extensive and widespread large manzanita found in the state, populating chaparral communities from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into northern State of Baja California, Mexico.(b)Manzanitas are known by the public as being the most characteristic native plant species of Californias most extensive ecosystem, the chaparral.(c)Arctostaphylos glauca is a beautiful, long-lived, drought-tolerant shrub species that provides important watershed values for the State of California. This shrub is also a fire-resistant species and can be used in fire-safe landscape designs.(d)The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca was used extensively by many California Native American communities as a food source. The fruit was also eaten by Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear. The prefix of Arctostaphylos, arktos, is in fact Greek for bear. The fruit remains an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral.(e)Because of its stunning red bark, graceful tree form, and large size, Arctostaphylos glauca is a statuesque and memorable species that is easily recognized by the public. As such, the shrub brings the public closer to nature.(f)Arctostaphylos glauca reflects Californias Spanish heritage through its common name manzanita, meaning little apple.(g)Because many citizens do not recognize the natural resource and public heritage values of Arctostaphylos glauca and may mistakenly destroy the species, it is important to recognize the plant as a symbol of Californias characteristic shrubland ecosystem.(h)With fire continually threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed, it is essential California recognizes the precious natural resource and heritage values this shrub species represents. (a) Manzanitas are an iconic native plant species within one of Californias most extensive ecosystems, the chaparral.(b) With roots in California that date back over a million years, Arctostaphylos glauca is specifically suited for Californias topography. This long-lived shrub features broad-reaching roots that provide watershed protective qualities and aid in preventing soil erosion.(c) The increase in fire frequency is threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed. Recognizing the natural resource and heritage of this shrub species is one part of preservation. (d) Arctostaphylos glauca, or bigberry manzanita, as it is commonly known, is an extensive and widespread large manzanita, populating chaparral habitats from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into the northern State of Baja California, Mexico. (e) The common name of the genus Arctostaphylos is manzanita, which means little apple in Spanish. Arctostaphylos directly translates to bear grape in Greek with the prefix arktos meaning bear and the suffix staphylos translating to bunch of grapes. These linguistic connections have ties to Californias heritage. (f) The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca has been used by Native American communities as a food source. Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear, also relied upon the fruit as a source of food. The shrub continues to be an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral. (g) Declaring the Arctostaphylos glauca a state species is one step in spreading awareness of its important role in Californias natural landscape.
SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:(a)Arctostaphylos glauca, or big berry manzanita as it is commonly known, is the most extensive and widespread large manzanita found in the state, populating chaparral communities from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into northern State of Baja California, Mexico.(b)Manzanitas are known by the public as being the most characteristic native plant species of Californias most extensive ecosystem, the chaparral.(c)Arctostaphylos glauca is a beautiful, long-lived, drought-tolerant shrub species that provides important watershed values for the State of California. This shrub is also a fire-resistant species and can be used in fire-safe landscape designs.(d)The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca was used extensively by many California Native American communities as a food source. The fruit was also eaten by Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear. The prefix of Arctostaphylos, arktos, is in fact Greek for bear. The fruit remains an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral.(e)Because of its stunning red bark, graceful tree form, and large size, Arctostaphylos glauca is a statuesque and memorable species that is easily recognized by the public. As such, the shrub brings the public closer to nature.(f)Arctostaphylos glauca reflects Californias Spanish heritage through its common name manzanita, meaning little apple.(g)Because many citizens do not recognize the natural resource and public heritage values of Arctostaphylos glauca and may mistakenly destroy the species, it is important to recognize the plant as a symbol of Californias characteristic shrubland ecosystem.(h)With fire continually threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed, it is essential California recognizes the precious natural resource and heritage values this shrub species represents. (a) Manzanitas are an iconic native plant species within one of Californias most extensive ecosystems, the chaparral.(b) With roots in California that date back over a million years, Arctostaphylos glauca is specifically suited for Californias topography. This long-lived shrub features broad-reaching roots that provide watershed protective qualities and aid in preventing soil erosion.(c) The increase in fire frequency is threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed. Recognizing the natural resource and heritage of this shrub species is one part of preservation. (d) Arctostaphylos glauca, or bigberry manzanita, as it is commonly known, is an extensive and widespread large manzanita, populating chaparral habitats from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into the northern State of Baja California, Mexico. (e) The common name of the genus Arctostaphylos is manzanita, which means little apple in Spanish. Arctostaphylos directly translates to bear grape in Greek with the prefix arktos meaning bear and the suffix staphylos translating to bunch of grapes. These linguistic connections have ties to Californias heritage. (f) The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca has been used by Native American communities as a food source. Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear, also relied upon the fruit as a source of food. The shrub continues to be an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral. (g) Declaring the Arctostaphylos glauca a state species is one step in spreading awareness of its important role in Californias natural landscape.
SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following:
### SECTION 1.
(a)Arctostaphylos glauca, or big berry manzanita as it is commonly known, is the most extensive and widespread large manzanita found in the state, populating chaparral communities from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into northern State of Baja California, Mexico.
(b)Manzanitas are known by the public as being the most characteristic native plant species of Californias most extensive ecosystem, the chaparral.
(c)Arctostaphylos glauca is a beautiful, long-lived, drought-tolerant shrub species that provides important watershed values for the State of California. This shrub is also a fire-resistant species and can be used in fire-safe landscape designs.
(d)The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca was used extensively by many California Native American communities as a food source. The fruit was also eaten by Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear. The prefix of Arctostaphylos, arktos, is in fact Greek for bear. The fruit remains an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral.
(e)Because of its stunning red bark, graceful tree form, and large size, Arctostaphylos glauca is a statuesque and memorable species that is easily recognized by the public. As such, the shrub brings the public closer to nature.
(f)Arctostaphylos glauca reflects Californias Spanish heritage through its common name manzanita, meaning little apple.
(g)Because many citizens do not recognize the natural resource and public heritage values of Arctostaphylos glauca and may mistakenly destroy the species, it is important to recognize the plant as a symbol of Californias characteristic shrubland ecosystem.
(h)With fire continually threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed, it is essential California recognizes the precious natural resource and heritage values this shrub species represents.
(a) Manzanitas are an iconic native plant species within one of Californias most extensive ecosystems, the chaparral.
(b) With roots in California that date back over a million years, Arctostaphylos glauca is specifically suited for Californias topography. This long-lived shrub features broad-reaching roots that provide watershed protective qualities and aid in preventing soil erosion.
(c) The increase in fire frequency is threatening old-growth stands of Arctostaphylos glauca, where the California grizzly bear once roamed. Recognizing the natural resource and heritage of this shrub species is one part of preservation.
(d) Arctostaphylos glauca, or bigberry manzanita, as it is commonly known, is an extensive and widespread large manzanita, populating chaparral habitats from the coast to the desert with a range from the San Francisco Bay area into the northern State of Baja California, Mexico.
(e) The common name of the genus Arctostaphylos is manzanita, which means little apple in Spanish. Arctostaphylos directly translates to bear grape in Greek with the prefix arktos meaning bear and the suffix staphylos translating to bunch of grapes. These linguistic connections have ties to Californias heritage.
(f) The fruit of Arctostaphylos glauca has been used by Native American communities as a food source. Californias official state animal, the now-extinct California grizzly bear, also relied upon the fruit as a source of food. The shrub continues to be an important food source for wildlife in the chaparral.
(g) Declaring the Arctostaphylos glauca a state species is one step in spreading awareness of its important role in Californias natural landscape.
SEC. 2. Section 425.16 is added to the Government Code, to read:425.16. Big berry Bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) is the official state shrub.
SEC. 2. Section 425.16 is added to the Government Code, to read:
### SEC. 2.
425.16. Big berry Bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) is the official state shrub.
425.16. Big berry Bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) is the official state shrub.
425.16. Big berry Bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) is the official state shrub.
425.16. Big berry Bigberry manzanita (Arctostaphylos glauca) is the official state shrub.