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SJR 85

The Cook Museum of Natural Science, commended

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Arthur Orr

Designates the Cook Museum of Natural Science as the North Alabama STEM Center and a partner in education with local schools.

Enacted
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Bill Summary · SJR 85

Summary — SJR 85: Commending the Cook Museum of Natural Science

Status: Enacted (Introduced Apr 14, 2025)
Type: Joint Senate Resolution (honorary)

Main purpose

SJR 85 formally commends the Cook Museum of Natural Science for its educational work and designates the museum to "serve as the North Alabama STEM Center as a partner in education with North Alabama schools." The resolution recognizes the museum’s history, facilities, outreach to students, and plans to expand STEM programming.

Key provisions

  • Commends the Cook Museum of Natural Science for introducing the natural world to students of all ages in North Alabama.
  • Recites the museum’s history: origin in 1968 (John Cook, Sr.’s insect collection), family vision in 2016, and nonprofit reopening on June 7, 2019.
  • Describes current facilities and exhibits: a 62,000 sq. ft. museum with nine themed galleries, STEM classrooms, hands-on immersive exhibits (including an immersive cave), live animals (baby alligators, lizards, snakes, insects, jellyfish, freshwater/saltwater fish, an endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle), and a forest/climbing-tree exhibit.
  • Notes visitor and school outreach statistics cited in the resolution:
    • 2023: 85,626 total visitors, including 16,243 students from 72 cities and 19 Alabama counties.
    • Later figures: 86,725 visitors, including 18,764 students from 90 cities and 21 Alabama counties.
  • Notes the museum’s intention to raise funds to expand its STEM program.
  • Officially designates the museum to serve as the North Alabama STEM Center and as a partner in education with North Alabama schools.

Who is affected / impact

  • Direct: Cook Museum of Natural Science — receives formal state recognition and designation that may assist visibility, partnerships, and fundraising.
  • Indirect: North Alabama schools and students — recognition highlights the museum’s role in regional STEM education and school outreach.
  • Fiscal/regulatory impact: None stated. As a resolution, this is an honorary designation and does not create binding statutory obligations or appropriations.

Procedural/timeline highlights

  • Introduced: Apr 14, 2025 (Senator Orr)
  • Senate passage: Apr 23, 2025 (multiple readings, roll call)
  • Received in House: Apr 29, 2025; House passed: May 1, 2025
  • Enrolled/delivered to Governor: May 1, 2025
  • Enacted: May 6, 2025
  • Filed with Secretary of State: May 22, 2025

This resolution is primarily symbolic recognition intended to promote the Cook Museum’s educational mission and its role as a regional STEM partner.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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