Sen. Laura Ellman supports HB4438 to name state bee, bill passes Illinois Senate unanimously

Sen. Laura Ellman (D-21st) cast a Yes vote on HB4438, legislation designating an official state bee for Illinois, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026, the Illinois Senate reported; the measure was approved unanimously by a 58-0 margin.

As noted in the bill's official description, it is intended for "STATE BEE DESIGNATION."

The following section is an interpretation of the bill's main points and may contain paraphrased language for clarity.

This legislation makes changes to the State Designations Act by adding Section 17, which establishes an official state bee for Illinois. Specifically, it names Bombus auricomus, or the Black-and-Gold Bumblebee, as the state bee. The bill does not set an effective date nor does it impose new regulatory, funding, or enforcement requirements, serving primarily as a symbolic designation.

HB4438 was recorded as having passed on its Third Reading.

Ellman earned her BS from Grinnell College in 1987.

A Democrat, Ellman was first elected to the Illinois State Senate in 2019 to represent District 21 after succeeding former Sen. Michael Connelly.

The legislative process in Illinois consists of several stages, including introduction, committee consideration, debates, and chamber votes before a bill is sent to the governor. The General Assembly meets on a biennial basis, with thousands of bills introduced each session, though only a small percentage ultimately become state law.