Could Arkansas soon have an official state duck?
House Bill 1417 was filed on Feb. 5 by Rep. Jack Ladyman (R-Jonesboro). It was sponsored by Sen. Blake Johnson (R-Corning) and co-sponsored by Rep. Jeff Wardlaw (R-Hermitage).
The bill, if passed, would make the mallard duck the official state duck of Arkansas.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says the mallard is the most common duck found in the state, however, two dozen species of duck can be found in Arkansas.
Did you know Arkansas has a state dinosaur?
Arkansas is also home to the 'Duck Hunting Capital of the World' in Stuttgart.
The mallard would join a lengthy list of official state symbols for Arkansas that includes milk as the state beverage, the honeybee as the state insect and the Dutch oven as the state's historic cooking vessel.
The bill was referred to the House's State and Governmental Affairs Committee where it was given a 'do pass'.
It passed the House by a 77-10 vote and was sent to the Senate to be referred to the Senate's State and Governmental Affairs Committee where it sits as of Feb. 20.
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