Existing law establishes the state flag and the states emblems, including, among other things, the saber-toothed cat as the official state fossil.

This bill would establish the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

Existing law establishes the state flag and the states emblems, including, among other things, the saber-toothed cat as the official state fossil.

This bill would establish the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

Existing law establishes the state flag and the states emblems, including, among other things, the saber-toothed cat as the official state fossil.

This bill would establish the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 1540

Author:

:

Vote:

SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 13-0, 7/11/17

AYES: Dodd, Berryhill, Bradford, Cannella, Gaines, Galgiani, Glazer, Hill, Hueso, Lara, Mendoza, Portantino, Vidak

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 57-0, 4/6/17 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT:

SOURCE: Southern California Paleontological Society

DIGEST: This bill designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Bear Flag as the State Flag of California.
2. Designates the following, among several others, as official state emblems:
   1. The saber-toothed cat (Smilodon californicus) as the official state fossil.
   2. The "California Red-Legged Frog" (Rana draytonii) as the official state amphibian.
   3. The California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) as the official state reptile.
   4. The Chipped Stone Bear (bear-shaped eccentric) as the official state prehistoric artifact.
   5. “Eureka” as the official state motto.
   6. “The Golden State” as the official state nickname.
   7. The golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica) as the official state flower.
   8. The California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) as the official state reptile.
   9. “I Love You, California” as an official state song.
   10. The California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoia gigantea) as the official state tree.
   11. “The Californian” as the official state tall ship.
   12. Denim as the official state fabric.

This bill designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

Background

Purpose of the bill. According to the author’s office, “the Augustynolophus morissi is a unique dinosaur that has only been found in California. Seven states, as well as the District of Columbia, have declared a state dinosaur to pay homage to the original creatures to walk the land. California now has the opportunity to recognize an important part of our history. A state dinosaur is essential to California’s society because it nurtures an educational opportunity for the youngest Californian’s to become interested in paleontology, and S.T.E.M (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as a whole.”

Augustynolophus morissi. The Augustynolophus morissi is a saurolophine hadrosaur dinosaur. Hadrosaurs are also known as the duck-billed dinosaurs. Additionally, Augustynolophus morrisi is a herbivorous dinosaur.

Due to many geological and geographical factors, the record of dinosaurs within California is quite slim. Augustynolophus morissi roamed California during the Maastrichtian Age, which makes it a contemporary of other well-known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops. The fossils have been found nowhere else in the world.

The Augustynolophus morissi specimens were discovered, between 1939 and 1940, by crews from the California Institute of Technology who collected two partial hadrosaurid skeletons from Moreno Formation of the Panoche Hills of Fresno County. It was originally thought that these animals belonged to an already-known genus – Saurolophus – however, when a more in-depth study took place, it was revealed that the cranial structure was vastly different, and therefore, determined to be a separate species.

The species is named after two notable Californians. The generic name derives from a combination of Mrs. Gretchen Augustyn and the suffix "-lophus," referring to its relation to Saurolophus. The specific name refers to paleontologist, Dr. William J. Morris.

AB 1540 designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the state dinosaur.

Related/Prior Legislation

AB 1067 (Gray, Chapter 49, Statutes of 2017) would designate the almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus), walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the official state nut.

AB 501 (Levine, Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016) designated denim as the official state fabric.

AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015) among other things, designated “Lace Lichen” (Ramalina menziesii) as the official State Lichen.

ACR 56 (Linder, Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015) declared a “shelter pet” as the official state pet.

AB 2364 (V. Manuel Perez, Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014) designated the “California Red-Legged Frog” (Rana draytonii) as the official state amphibian.

AB 1776 (Fong, Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012) designated the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official marine reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.

SB 906 (Ashburn, Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005) designated “Calico” in San Bernardino County as the official state silver rush ghost town.

SB 1226 (Machado, Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004) designated “purple needlegrass,” or Nassella Pulchra, as the official state grass.

AB 965 (Kehoe, Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003) designated the “Californian” as the official state tall ship.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT: (Verified 7/12/17)

Southern California Paleontological Society (source)

California Federation of Mineralogical Societies

Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation

Palmdale Gem and Mineral Club, Inc.

Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology

San Diego Mineral & Gem Society

OPPOSITION: (Verified 7/12/17)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The Southern California Paleontological Society writes that, “This impressive dinosaur, one of the hadrosaurs, or duck-billed dinosaurs, has been found only here in California, and the fossil remains of the two individual specimens are at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. One of those, the holotype specimen and most complete dinosaur known from California, is featured in the museum’s Dino Hall. Thousands of visitors see this dinosaur each week, along with busloads of students on field trips from all over Los Angeles County and beyond. The Dino Hall is always a highlight of their visits, and the displayed specimen of Augustynolophus morrisi will gain in significance as it becomes an official symbol of California’s ancient history.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 57-0, 4/6/17

AYES: Acosta, Aguiar-Curry, Arambula, Baker, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Bocanegra, Bonta, Brough, Caballero, Calderon, Cervantes, Chau, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Dababneh, Daly, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Friedman, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gipson, Gomez, Gray, Grayson, Holden, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Mathis, Mayes, Medina, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, O'Donnell, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Ridley-Thomas, Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Waldron, Weber, Wood

NO VOTE RECORDED: Travis Allen, Burke, Chávez, Chen, Cooper, Cunningham, Dahle, Frazier, Gallagher, Gloria, Gonzalez Fletcher, Harper, Irwin, Kiley, Maienschein, McCarty, Melendez, Obernolte, Patterson, Reyes, Rodriguez, Voepel, Rendon

Prepared by:

7/13/17 13:54:44

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Senator Bill Dodd

Chair

2017 - 2018 Regular

Bill No: 1540 Hearing Date: 7/11/2017

SUBJECT: State dinosaur: Augustynolophus morrisi

DIGEST: This bill designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes the Bear Flag as the State Flag of California.
2. Designates the following, among several others, as official state emblems:
   1. The saber-toothed cat (Smilodon californicus) as the official state fossil.
   2. The "California Red-Legged Frog" (Rana draytonii) as the official state amphibian.
   3. The California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) as the official state reptile.
   4. The Chipped Stone Bear (bear-shaped eccentric) as the official state prehistoric artifact.
   5. “Eureka” as the official state motto.
   6. “The Golden State” as the official state nickname.
   7. The golden poppy (Eschscholzia californica) as the official state flower.
   8. The California desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) as the official state reptile.
   9. “I Love You, California” as an official state song.
   10. The California redwood (Sequoia sempervirens, Sequoia gigantea) as the official state tree.
   11. “The Californian” as the official state tall ship.
   12. Denim as the official state fabric.

This bill designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

Background

Purpose of the bill. According to the author’s office, “the Augustynolophus morissi is a unique dinosaur that has only been found in California. Seven states, as well as the District of Columbia, have declared a state dinosaur to pay homage to the original creatures to walk the land. California now has the opportunity to recognize an important part of our history. A state dinosaur is essential to California’s society because it nurtures an educational opportunity for the youngest Californian’s to become interested in paleontology, and S.T.E.M (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as a whole.”

Augustynolophus morissi. The Augustynolophus morissi is a saurolophine hadrosaur dinosaur. Hadrosaurs are also known as the duck-billed dinosaurs. Additionally, Augustynolophus morrisi is a herbivorous dinosaur.

Due to many geological and geographical factors, the record of dinosaurs within California is quite slim. Augustynolophus morissi roamed California during the Maastrichtian Age, which makes it a contemporary of other well-known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops. The fossils have been found nowhere else in the world.

The Augustynolophus morissi specimens were discovered, between 1939 and1940, by crews from the California Institute of Technology who collected two partial hadrosaurid skeletons from Moreno Formation of the Panoche Hills of Fresno County. It was originally thought that these animals belonged to an already-known genus – Saurolophus – however, when a more in-depth study took place, it was revealed that the cranial structure was vastly different, and therefore, determined to be a separate species.

The species is named after two notable Californians. The generic name derives from a combination of Mrs. Gretchen Augustyn and the suffix "-lophus," referring to its relation to Saurolophus. The specific name refers to paleontologist, Dr. William J. Morris.

AB 1540 designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the state dinosaur.

Prior/Related Legislation

AB 1067 (Gray, 2017) would designate the almond (Prunus dulcis, Prunus amygdalus), walnut, pistachio, and pecan each as the official state nut. (Pending on the Governor’s desk)

SB 73 (Hueso, 2017) would designate the “San Salvador” as the official state ship of exploration. (Pending in Senate Governmental Organization Committee)

AB 501 (Levine, Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016) designated denim as the official state fabric.

AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015) among other things, designated “Lace Lichen” (Ramalina menziesii) as the official State Lichen.

ACR 56 (Linder, Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015) declared a “shelter pet” as the official state pet.

AB 2364 (V. Manuel Perez, Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014) designated the “California Red-Legged Frog” (Rana draytonii) as the official state amphibian.

AB 1776 (Fong, Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012) designated the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official marine reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.

SB 906 (Ashburn, Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005) designated “Calico” in San Bernardino County as the official state silver rush ghost town.

SB 1226 (Machado, Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004) designated “purple needlegrass,” or Nassella Pulchra, as the official state grass.

AB 965 (Kehoe, Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003) designated the “Californian” as the official state tall ship.

AB 1757 (Leslie, Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002) designated “Bodie” as the official state gold rush ghost town.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:

SUPPORT:

Southern California Paleontological Society (Source)

Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History Foundation

Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology

San Diego Mineral & Gem Society

OPPOSITION:

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The Southern California Paleontological Society writes that, “This impressive dinosaur, one of the hadrosaurs, or duck-billed dinosaurs, has been found only here in California, and the fossil remains of the two individual specimens are at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. One of those, the holotype specimen and most complete dinosaur known from California, is featured in the museum’s Dino Hall. Thousands of visitors see this dinosaur each week, along with busloads of students on field trips from all over Los Angeles County and beyond. The Dino Hall is always a highlight of their visits, and the displayed specimen of Augustynolophus morrisi will gain in significance as it becomes an official symbol of California’s ancient history.”

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 1540

Author:(Bloom)

As Introduced Ver:

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Designates the following as official state insignia:
   1. State Flower – "Golden Poppy" (Added by SB 251 (Smith), Chapter 69, Statutes of 1903)
   2. State Bird – "California Valley Quail" (Added by AB 776 (Miller), Chapter 777, Statutes of 1931)
   3. State Tree – "California Redwood" includes both the coast redwood (Sequoia empervirens) and the Sierra big tree (Sequoia gigantea) – (Added by SB 958 (Fletcher), Chapter 134, Statutes of 1943; Amended by SB 1014 (Tenney), Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
   4. State Theatre – "Pasadena Playhouse" (Added by Resolution ACR 17 (Eleanor Miller), Chapter 45, Statutes of 1937)
   5. State Fish – "California Golden Trout" (Added by Resolution ACR 52 (Erwin), Chapter 90, Statutes of 1947)
   6. State Song – "I Love You California" (Added by Resolution SCR 29 (Tenney), Chapter 87, Statutes of 1951)
   7. State Animal – "California Grizzly" (Added by SB 1014 (Tenney), Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
   8. State Motto – "Eureka" (Added by AB 7 (Mills), Chapter 1237, Statutes of 1963)
   9. State Rock – "Serpentine" (Added by SB 265 (Gibson), Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
   10. State Mineral – "Native Gold" (Added by SB 265 (Gibson), Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
   11. State Nickname – "Golden State" (Added by SB 204 (Song), Chapter 66, Statutes of 1968)
   12. State Reptile – "Desert Tortoise" (Added by AB 1089 (Hayden), Chapter 683, Statutes of 1972)
   13. State Insect – "California Dogface Butterfly" (Added by AB 1843 (Maddy), Chapter 521, Statutes of 1972)
   14. State Fossil – "Sabre-Tooth Cat" (Added by AB 940 (Sieroty), Chapter 792, Statutes of 1973)
   15. State Historical Society – "California Historical Society" (Added by SB 63 (Mills), Chapter 52, Statutes of 1979)
   16. State Marine Mammal – "California Gray Whale" (Added by AB 258 (Badham), Chapter 328, Statutes of 1975)
   17. State Gemstone – "Benitoite" (Added by AB 2357 (Areias), Chapter 1365, Statutes of 1985)
   18. State Folk Dance – "Square Dance" (Added by SB 2460 (Kopp), Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
   19. State Dance – "West Coast Swing" (Added by SB 2460 (Kopp), Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
   20. State Prehistoric Artifact – "Chipped Stone Bear" (Added by SB 404 (Dills), Chapter 73, Statutes of 1991)
   21. State Marine Fish – "Garibaldi" (Added by AB 77 (Morrow), Chapter 948, Statutes of 1995)
   22. State Soil – "San Joaquin Soil" (Added by SB 389 (Monteith), Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997)
   23. State Fife and Drum Band – "California Consolidated Drum Band" (Added by SB 1318 (Polanco), Chapter 58, Statutes of 1997)
   24. State Tartan – "Based on the family tartan of the revered John Muir" (blue and green with red, gold, and blue seams) (Added by AB 614 (Thomson), Chapter 100, Statutes of 2001)
   25. State Gold Rush Ghost Town – "Town of Bodie" (Added by AB 1757 (Leslie), Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002)
   26. State Tall Ship – "Californian" (Added by AB 965 (Kehoe), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003)
   27. State Grass – "Nassella Pulchra" – commonly referred to as "purple needlegrass" (Added by SB 1226 (Machado), Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004)
   28. State Silver Rush Ghost Town – "Calico" (Added by SB 906 (Ashburn), Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005)
   29. Official Marine Reptile – "Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle" (Added by AB 1776 (Fong), Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012)
   30. State Amphibian – "California Red-Legged Frog" (Added by AB 2364 (V. Manuel Pérez), Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014)
   31. State Pet – "Shelter Pet" (Added by ACR 56 (Linder), Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015)
   32. State Lichen – "Lace Lichen" (Added by AB 1528 (Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015)
   33. State fabric – "Denim" (Added by AB 501 (Levine), Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unkown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

COMMENTS:

Purpose of the bill: According to the Author's office, "The Augustynolophus morissi is a unique dinosaur that has only been found in California. Seven states, as well as the District of Columbia, have declared a state dinosaur to pay homage to the original creatures to walk the land. California now has the opportunity to recognize an important part of our history. A state dinosaur is essential to California's society because it nurtures an educational opportunity for the youngest Californian's to become interested in paleontology, and science as a whole."

Background: Augustynolophus belongs to a family of dinosaurs, Hadrosauridae or the "Duckbill Dinosaurs." The fossils have only been found in California, specifically unearthed in the Moreno Formation of Fresno County, which means that Augustynolophus comes from near the "geographical center" of our state. The Augustynolophus morrisi roamed California during the Maastrichtian Age, which makes it a contemporary of other well-known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops. The species is named after two notable Californians, Dr. William J. Morris, and Mrs. Augustyn. Augustynolophus is the most complete dinosaur known from California, and includes skull material, making it easier for scientist to show an accurate picture of what the animal actually looked like in comparison to other dinosaurs.

Prior/Related Legislation: AB 501 (Levine), Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016. Designated "Denim" as the official State Fabric.

AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015. Among other things, declared "Lace Lichen" (Ramalina menziesii) the official State Lichen.

ACR 56 (Linder), Resolution Chapter184, Statutes of 2015. Declared a "shelter pet" as the official State Pet.

AB 2364 (V. Manuel Pérez), Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014. Designated the "California Red-Legged Frog" (Rana draytonii) as the official State Amphibian.

AB 1776 (Fong), Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012. Designated the "Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle" as the official marine reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.

SB 906 (Ashburn), Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005. Designated "Calico" in San Bernardino County as the official State Silver Rush Ghost Town.

SB 1226 (Machado), Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004. Designated "purple needlegrass," or Nassella Pulchra, as the official State Grass.

AB 965 (Kehoe), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003. Established the "Californian" as the official State Tall Ship.

AB 1757 (Leslie), Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002. Designated "Bodie" as the official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.

Analysis Prepared by: Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531 FN: 0000069

Date of Hearing: 3/29/17

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION

Adam Gray, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1540 (

Author:Bloom) – As Introduced Ver:February 17, 2017

SUBJECT: State dinosaur: Augustynolophus morrisi

SUMMARY: Designates the Augustynolophus morrisi as the official state dinosaur.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Designates the following as official state insignia:
   1. State Flower – "Golden Poppy" (Added by Chapter 69, Statutes of 1903)
   2. State Bird – "California Valley Quail" (Added by Chapter 777, Statutes of 1931)
   3. State Tree – "California Redwood" includes both the coast redwood (Sequoia empervirens) and the Sierra big tree (Sequoia gigantea) – (Added by Chapter 134, Statutes of 1943; Amended by Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
   4. State Theatre – "Pasadena Playhouse" (Added by Resolution Chapter 45, Statutes of 1937)
   5. State Fish – "California Golden Trout" (Added by Resolution Chapter 90, Statutes of 1947)
   6. State Song – "I Love You California" (Added by Resolution Chapter 87, Statutes of 1951)
   7. State Animal – "California Grizzly" (Added by Chapter 1140, Statutes of 1953)
   8. State Motto – "Eureka" (Added by Chapter 1237, Statutes of 1963)
   9. State Rock – "Serpentine" (Added by Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
   10. State Mineral – "Native Gold" (Added by Chapter 89, Statutes of 1965)
   11. State Nickname – "Golden State" (Added by Chapter 66, Statutes of 1968)
   12. State Reptile – "Desert Tortoise" (Added by Chapter 683, Statutes of 1972)
   13. State Insect – "California Dogface Butterfly" (Added by Chapter 521, Statutes of 1972)
   14. State Fossil – "Sabre-Tooth Cat" (Added by Chapter 792, Statutes of 1973)
   15. State Historical Society – "California Historical Society" (Added by Chapter 52, Statutes of 1979)
   16. State Marine Mammal – "California Gray Whale" (Added by Chapter 328, Statutes of 1975)
   17. State Gemstone – "Benitoite" (Added by Chapter 1365, Statutes of 1985)
   18. State Folk Dance – "Square Dance" (Added by Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
   19. State Dance – "West Coast Swing" (Added by Chapter 1645, Statutes of 1988)
   20. State Prehistoric Artifact – "Chipped Stone Bear" (Added by Chapter 73, Statutes of 1991)
   21. State Marine Fish – "Garibaldi" (Added by Chapter 948, Statutes of 1995)
   22. State Soil – "San Joaquin Soil" (Added by Chapter 331, Statutes of 1997)
   23. State Fife and Drum Band – "California Consolidated Drum Band" (Added by Chapter 58, Statutes of 1997)
   24. State Tartan – "Based on the family tartan of the revered John Muir" (blue and green with red, gold, and blue seams) (Added by Chapter 100, Statutes of 2001)
   25. State Gold Rush Ghost Town – "Town of Bodie" (Added by Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002)
   26. State Tall Ship – "Californian" (Added by Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003)
   27. State Grass – "Nassella Pulchra" – commonly referred to as "purple needlegrass" (Added by Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004)
   28. State Silver Rush Ghost Town – "Calico" (Added by Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005)
   29. Official Marine Reptile – "Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle" (Added by Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012)
   30. State Amphibian – "California Red-Legged Frog" (Added by Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014)
   31. State Pet – "Shelter Pet" (Added by Resolution Chapter 184, Statutes of 2015)
   32. State Lichen – "Lace Lichen" (Added by Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015)
   33. State fabric – “Denim” (Added by Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016)

FISCAL EFFECT: Keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.

COMMENTS:

Purpose of the bill: According to the Author’s office, “The Augustynolophus morissi is a unique dinosaur that has only been found in California. Seven states, as well as the District of Columbia, have declared a state dinosaur to pay homage to the original creatures to walk the land. California now has the opportunity to recognize an important part of our history. A state dinosaur is essential to California’s society because it nurtures an educational opportunity for the youngest Californian’s to become interested in paleontology, and science as a whole.”

Background: Augustynolophus belongs to a family of dinosaurs, Hadrosauridae or the "Duckbill Dinosaurs.” The fossils have only been found in California, specifically unearthed in the Moreno Formation of Fresno County, which means that Augustynolophus comes from near the "geographical center" of our state. The Augustynolophus morrisi roamed California during the Maastrichtian Age, which makes it a contemporary of other well-known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops. The species is named after two notable Californians, Dr. William J. Morris, and Mrs. Augustyn. Augustynolophus is the most complete dinosaur known from California, and includes skull material, making it easier for scientist to show an accurate picture of what the animal actually looked like in comparison to other dinosaurs.

Prior/Related Legislation: AB 501 (Levine), Chapter 873, Statutes of 2016. Designated “Denim” as the official State Fabric.

AB 1528 (Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2015. Among other things, declared "Lace Lichen" (Ramalina menziesii) the official State Lichen.

ACR 56 (Linder), Resolution Chapter184, Statutes of 2015. Declared a "shelter pet" as the official State Pet.

AB 2364 (V. Manuel Pérez), Chapter 77, Statutes of 2014. Designated the "California Red-Legged Frog" (Rana draytonii) as the official State Amphibian.

AB 1776 (Fong), Chapter 591, Statutes of 2012. Designated the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official marine reptile of the State of California and established October 15 as Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Day.

SB 906 (Ashburn), Chapter 90, Statutes of 2005. Designated "Calico" in San Bernardino County as the official State Silver Rush Ghost Town.

SB 1226 (Machado), Chapter 243, Statutes of 2004. Designated "purple needlegrass," or Nassella Pulchra, as the official State Grass.

AB 965 (Kehoe), Chapter 113, Statutes of 2003. Established the "Californian" as the official State Tall Ship.

AB 1757 (Leslie), Chapter 365, Statutes of 2002. Designated "Bodie" as the official State Gold Rush Ghost Town.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Kenton Stanhope / G.O. / (916) 319-2531