This bill designates the American mastodon as the national fossil mammal and the *Tyrannosaurus rex* as the national fossil dinosaur of the United States.
Erin Houchin
Representative
IN-9
This bill, titled the "National Fossil Act," officially designates the American mastodon as the national fossil mammal and the *Tyrannosaurus rex* as the national fossil dinosaur of the United States. It amends federal law to formally recognize these two prehistoric species.
National Fossil Act Proposes T. Rex and American Mastodon as Official U.S. Prehistoric Symbols
The National Fossil Act is a straightforward piece of legislation that aims to give the United States its first official national fossil mammal and national fossil dinosaur. Specifically, Section 2 of the bill amends Title 36 of the U.S. Code to formally designate the American mastodon (Mammut americanum) and the Tyrannosaurus rex as our country's representative prehistoric icons. This isn't just a fun fact for trivia night; it’s a formal update to the same chapter of federal law that handles our national anthem, the motto 'In God We Trust,' and the floral emblem (the rose).
Prehistoric Branding
By elevating these two specific creatures, the bill creates a unified national identity for our paleontological heritage. For a science teacher in a middle school or a museum curator designing a new exhibit, these designations provide a clear, federally recognized focal point for educational programming. It’s a bit like naming a national bird; while it doesn’t change how the animals are studied, it puts them on the 'official' map for tourism, gift shop merchandise, and educational materials. The American mastodon represents our ice age history, while the T. rex—perhaps the most famous dinosaur to ever roam the earth—solidifies its status as an American cultural staple.
The Paperwork of Paleontology
From a practical standpoint, this bill is about as 'low-impact' as federal legislation gets for the average taxpayer. It doesn't create new regulations for land use, it doesn't fund new excavation projects, and it doesn't change how fossils are collected on federal lands. The primary action here is administrative: updating the table of sections in Chapter 3 of Title 36 to include these new symbols. If you’re a small business owner making educational posters or a software developer building a science app, you’ll simply have a new official data point to include. It’s a rare instance of a bill that focuses entirely on national symbolism without adding a layer of bureaucratic red tape to your daily life.