Pennsylvania SB829: An Act designating the Hynerpeton bassetti, a stem tetrapod, as the official State fossil of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; designating the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) as the official State reptile of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; designating Hershey's Kisses as the official State candy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and making a repeal.

What the bill says

From the introduced text, June 6, 2025:

PRINTER'S NO. 906 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL No. Session of INTRODUCED BY DUSH AND SANTARSIERO, JUNE 6, 2025 REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 6, 2025 Designating the Hynerpeton bassetti, a stem tetrapod, as the official State fossil of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and making a repeal. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Findings and declarations. The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) Hynerpeton bassetti is a specific type of extinct tetrapod and an early four-limbed vertebrate that resembled a modern day amphibian. (2) Hynerpeton, meaning "crawling animal from Hyner," is unique to this Commonwealth and was discovered in 1993 at the Red Hill fossil site near Hyner, Pennsylvania. (3) Due to the robust structure of the shoulder girdle, the Hynerpeton was thought to have very powerful muscles, which aided it in walking and swimming. (4) The fossilized remains of Hynerpeton bassetti were only found at the Red Hill fossil site, making this vertebrate unique to this Commonwealth. (5) Naming the Hynerpeton bassetti as the official State fossil of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will promote appreciation, education and the study of fossils in this Commonwealth. Section 2. Official State fossil. The Hynerpeton bassetti is selected, designated and adopted as the official State fossil of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Cris Dush (R, 25) · primary sponsor
• Steven Santarsiero (D, 10)
• Amanda Cappelletti (D, 17)

Latest actions

1. October 21, 2026: Referred to RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, Oct. 21, 2026
2. October 21, 2026: In the Senate
3. October 21, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page ....), Oct. 21, 2026
4. October 21, 2026: Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 21, 2026 (154-49)
5. October 21, 2026: Re-reported as committed, Oct. 21, 2026
6. October 20, 2026: (Remarks see House Journal Page ....), Oct. 20, 2026
7. October 20, 2026: Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 20, 2026
8. October 20, 2026: Second consideration, with amendments, Oct. 20, 2026
9. October 19, 2026: Removed from table, Oct. 19, 2026
10. June 30, 2026: Laid on the table, June 30, 2026

Votes

• House Floor: SB829, RC 1588 (October 21, 2026): 154 yea, 49 nay, passed
• House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (October 21, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Floor: SB829, RC 1555 (October 20, 2026): 113 yea, 90 nay, passed
• House Floor: SB829, RC 1554 (October 20, 2026): 199 yea, 4 nay, passed
• House Commerce: Report Bill As Committed (June 30, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House State Government: Re-refer Bill To Another Committee (February 3, 2026): 14 yea, 12 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB829?

SB829 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act designating the Hynerpeton bassetti, a stem tetrapod, as the official State fossil of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; designating the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) as the official State reptile of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; designating Hershey's Kisses as the official State candy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; and making a repeal.

What is the status of SB829?

Passed both chambers as of October 21, 2026. Latest action: Referred to RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, Oct. 21, 2026 (October 21, 2026).

Who sponsored SB829?

Cris Dush (R, 25), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB829?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb829