AL HB229

Designates Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) as the official State Native Grass of Alabama, a warm-season grass native to lower Canada and all U.S. states except Nevada and Washington.

Establishes that Little Bluestem fosters healthier Alabama ecosystems by maintaining ecological balance, creating wildlife habitats, and combating drought conditions and soil erosion.

Notes that Little Bluestem provides cover and nesting sites for birds, insects, and small mammals, with seeds serving as a food source for various organisms.

Recognizes the grass's distinctive blue-green foliage and reddish-brown seed heads as aesthetic benefits to Alabama's landscapes and natural areas.

Becomes effective on October 1, 2024.