Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. The megalodon (Otodus megalodon) is another step closer to becoming the first state shark in the United States. At the last second, a bill to name the extinct behemoth Maryland’s state shark passed on the final day of the legislative session in Annapolis.  According to WMAR-Baltimore, the House of Delegates passed its version of the bill (HB97) earlier in the session. However, the Senate’s version stalled in committee. It was added to a bill that has already passed (SB0035) on the last day of the session.  The bill is now headed to Governor Wes Moore’s desk. If signed as expected, Maryland’s state shark designation will officially take effect on October 1. The megalodon will join Maryland’s other state symbols, including the Baltimore oriole (state bird), jousting (state sport), and walking (state exercise). Delegate Todd Morgan, who wrote one of two bills backing the megalodon, celebrated its passage in a Facebook post. “There are so many people, young and old, …