AN ACT to replace the gray squirrel with the black bear as the official state mammal.

Whereas, Brandon Marshall was a proud resident of Hyde County, North Carolina, who enjoyed all the natural beauty it offered and who tragically lost his life on January 25, 2021; and

Whereas, Brandon Marshall dedicated significant time to the conservation efforts of North Carolina, including working as the chapter president of Ducks Unlimited, assisting in the Wetlands Reserve Program, aiding the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, and working with the North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program; and

Whereas, Brandon Marshall respected North Carolina's black bears and sought to educate and enhance everyone's knowledge of these amazing creatures, promoting safe and sustainable hunting practices for all; and

Whereas, in honor of Brandon Marshall and in recognition of the importance and majesty of North Carolina's black bears, it is fitting to designate the black bear as the official mammal of the State of North Carolina; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 145‑5 reads as rewritten:

§ 145‑5.  State mammal.

The gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is hereby black bear (Ursus americanus) is adopted as the official State mammal of the State of North Carolina.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.