Pennsylvania · 2025-2026 Session

SB 829Passed Origin Chamber

An Act designating the Hynerpeton bassetti, a stem tetrapod, as the official State fossil of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and making a repeal.

Source of recordPennsylvania · palegis.usLast synced Sep 4, 2026

Chamber

Senate

Progress

Where this bill stands in the legislative process.

Introduced
Passed Senate
Passed House
To Governor
Became Law

Overview

This bill officially designates the Hynerpeton bassetti, a stem tetrapod fossil discovered in Pennsylvania, as the state’s official fossil. It recognizes the unique history and significance of this particular vertebrate found at the Red Hill fossil site. The bill also repeals a previous designation of a different state fossil. This action aims to promote awareness and study of fossils within the Commonwealth.

Key provisions

Designates the Hynerpeton bassetti as the official State fossil.
Recognizes the Hynerpeton’s discovery at the Red Hill fossil site in Pennsylvania.
Highlights the fossil’s unique shoulder girdle and powerful muscles.
States that the Hynerpeton is unique to Pennsylvania.
Aims to increase appreciation and study of fossils in the state.

Who is affected

Pennsylvania residents
Paleontology enthusiasts
Educational institutions
State fossil organizations

Notable changes

Replaces the previous designation of the state fossil.
Establishes a new official state fossil based on a specific fossil discovery.

Bill text

Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.

HTMLView source Other format

Document of record

Version: Pn 0906 Html
Published: Not published in the source record

This version is published only as a document. Open the viewer to read it here, or download the file.

Download PDF

Legislative history

15 recorded actions · showing the most recent 12

Oct 8, 2025Senate

Re-referred to Appropriations

Oct 8, 2025Senate

Second consideration

Oct 20, 2025Senate

Re-reported as committed

Nov 18, 2025Senate

(Remarks see Senate Journal Page 1031 1034-1035)

Nov 19, 2025Senate

Referred to State Government

Feb 3, 2026Senate

Re-referred to Commerce

Feb 3, 2026Senate

Reported with request to re-refer to Commerce

Jun 30, 2026Senate

Laid on the table

Jun 30, 2026Senate

First consideration

Jun 30, 2026Senate

Reported as committed

In the HouseHouse

In the House

Nov 18, 2025Senate

Third consideration and final passage, Nov. 18, 2025 (49-0)

Votes

Recorded roll calls and chamber actions on this bill.

Vote map

House districts

Roll call

Loading map data

0 districts with vote data

Nay

Yea

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls list how each member voted. Unanimous consent or voice vote appears in the official action history without a roll call; no member-level tally is available for those steps.

Recorded roll calls

Geography

Recorded positions across the state.

No public positions recorded for this legislation.

Arguments

Reasons offered for and against this legislation.

Arguments in favor

No arguments in favor have been submitted.

Submit yours

Arguments opposed

No arguments opposed have been submitted.

Submit yours

An Act designating the Hynerpeton bassetti, a stem tetrapod, as the official State fossil of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and making a repeal.

Progress

Overview

Key provisions

Who is affected

Notable changes

Bill text

Sponsors

Primary sponsor

Cosponsors

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls

Geography

Arguments

Arguments in favor

Arguments opposed

Geography

Legislative history

Votes

Vote map

Floor votes and chamber actions

Recorded roll calls