Bill Text: NJ A5259 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates Aulacoseira newjerseyana as New Jersey State Diatom.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-06-15 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee [A5259 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-A5259-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ELLEN J. PARK
District 37 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman SHAMA A. HAIDER
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Designates Aulacoseira newjerseyana as New Jersey State Diatom.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act designating Aulacoseira newjerseyana as the New Jersey State diatom, and supplementing chapter 9A of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
Whereas, Aulacoseira newjerseyana is a diatom discovered by Dr. Mihaela D. Enache, Dr. Marina G. Potapova, Dr. Sarah A. Spaulding, and Meredith Tyree Polaskey in 2022; and
Whereas, A diatom is a microscopic, single-celled algae found in most aquatic environments on earth, including oceans, lakes, and rivers; and
Whereas, Diatoms are characterized by their distinct cell walls known as frustules, which are composed of hydrated silicon dioxide and give them a glass-like appearance; and
Whereas, Diatoms are one of the most diverse microorganisms on earth and scientists estimate there are anywhere from 20,000-2 million different species, with scientists discovering new species every year; and
Whereas, Diatoms are one of the most important organisms for aquatic ecosystems; they produce long-chain fatty acids which feed everything from zooplankton to fish and whales; scientists estimate they produce 20-30 percent of all the oxygen generated on earth; and they act as an indicator of the health of aquatic systems due to their need for specific ranges of pH and salinity; and
Whereas, Aulacoseira newjerseyana is a freshwater centric diatom species found in lakes located in the Highlands ecoregion of New Jersey; and
Whereas, Aulacoseira newjerseyana is characterized by its low mantle, unevenly distributed mantle areolae, and a valve face covered by rounded areolae; and
Whereas, It is important to bring awareness to the ecological importance of diatoms and the crucial role they play in helping to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems, as well as to the scientists whose work led to the discovery of Aulacoseira newjerseyana; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper that Aulacoseira newjerseyana, a diatom bearing the name of the State of New Jersey and reflecting the State's commitment to scientific discovery and environmental research, is designated as the official diatom of the State of New Jersey; now, therefore,
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Aulacoseira newjerseyana is designated as the New Jersey State Diatom.
2. This act shall take
effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill designates Aulacoseira newjerseyana as the official diatom of the State of New Jersey. Aulacoseira newjerseyana was discovered by Dr. Mihaela D. Enache, Dr. Marina G. Potapova, Dr. Sarah A. Spaulding, and Meredith Tyree Polaskey in 2022.
A diatom is a microscopic, single-celled algae found in most aquatic environments on earth. They are characterized by their distinct cell walls known as frustules which are composed of hydrated silicon dioxide and give them a glass-like appearance. Diatoms are one of the most diverse microorganisms on earth with scientists estimating there are anywhere from 20,000-2 million different species.
Aulacoseira newjerseyana is a freshwater centric diatom species found in lakes located in the Highlands ecoregion of New Jersey. It is characterized by its low mantle, unevenly distributed mantle areolae, and a valve face covered by rounded areolae.
Despite their importance to aquatic ecosystems, few people know of their existence. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that Aulacoseira newjerseyana, a diatom bearing the name of and discovered in New Jersey, is designated as the official diatom of the State of New Jersey.
