# **California’s Bigfoot Legislation: A Move Toward Acknowledging the State’s “Official Cryptid”**
California boasts an array of official symbols, such as the golden poppy (state flower) and the grizzly bear (state animal). Yet, one thing that has yet to receive official status is a cryptid—a creature whose existence is disputed and unverified. This may change with the introduction of **AB-666**, a bill proposed by **California Assemblymember Chris Rogers**, aimed at designating **Bigfoot as the state’s official cryptid**.
## **The Bigfoot Legislation: A Genuine Initiative or Merely a Stunt?**
At first glance, a bill numbered **666** centered on Bigfoot might appear humorous. However, Assemblymember Chris Rogers seems earnest about the initiative. Representing **California’s Assembly District 2**, an area notable for Bigfoot sightings, Rogers is advocating for formal recognition of the mythical being.
The bill underscores the reality that California has a plethora of official symbols, including:
– **Golden poppy** – State flower
– **California redwood** – State tree
– **Eureka** – State motto
– **Red-legged frog** – State amphibian
– **Grizzly bear** – State animal
– **Swing dancing** – State dance
– **Saber-toothed cat** – State fossil
Given such an extensive array of official symbols, Rogers contends that adding Bigfoot as the **state cryptid** is a sensible next move.
## **Bigfoot’s Cultural and Economic Significance in California**
The initiative is more than simply acknowledging a legendary entity—it also holds potential **economic advantages**. The town of **Willow Creek**, situated in Rogers’ district, has welcomed Bigfoot as a local folklore figure. The quaint community boasts:
– **Bigfoot Museum**
– **Bigfoot Motel**
– **Bigfoot Steakhouse**
– **Bigfoot’s Barbershop**
– **Bigfoot Equipment & Repair**
– **Bigfoot Cannabis Company**
By officially designating Bigfoot as the state cryptid, California could **enhance tourism and support local businesses** that flourish on Bigfoot-related activities.
## **Bigfoot Sightings: Enigma or Misunderstanding?**
Bigfoot advocates, including **Matt Moneymaker**, a seasoned Bigfoot researcher and former star of *Finding Bigfoot*, have shown enthusiasm for the bill. Moneymaker asserts that he has had a **close encounter** with the creature, describing it as a **growling figure 20 feet away**.
Nonetheless, skeptics claim that most Bigfoot sightings are likely **misidentified wildlife**, especially **black bears**. A **2024 study** revealed that reports of Bigfoot sightings **align with black bear populations**, implying that many purported encounters might just be **bears standing on their hind legs**.
Despite the absence of solid proof, reports of Bigfoot interactions continue to surface. A recent sighting in **Buchanan County, Virginia**, portrays a **large, shaggy entity with a human-like face** observed near a coal mine. The witness, working in food services, stated that the creature was **kneeling and gazing through shrubs** before vanishing into the forest.
## **The Scientific Dilemma: No Bodies, No DNA, No Evidence**
One of the most significant obstacles in establishing Bigfoot’s existence is the **absence of physical proof**. Despite **years of reported sightings**, no one has located:
– A **Bigfoot corpse** (alive or deceased)
– **Clear, high-resolution photographs or videos**
– **Verified Bigfoot DNA samples**
Analyses of purported **Bigfoot hair samples** have consistently revealed them to be from **bears, horses, cows, raccoons, or deer**—never from an unidentified primate species.
## **Will California Establish Bigfoot as an Official Symbol?**
While the bill has sparked excitement among Bigfoot advocates, its likelihood of passing remains uncertain. A similar proposition was brought forth in **Washington state in 2017**, but despite multiple attempts, it **never advanced beyond committee**.
Should AB-666 pass, California would be the first state to officially recognize a **cryptid**. Regardless of Bigfoot’s validity, the bill could foster **tourism, celebrate local legends, and preserve the myth**.
For the time being, the enigma of Bigfoot stays unresolved—but it could soon become an **official element of California’s heritage**.
