How does the state legislature decide on state symbols?

Answer 1

There are several state symbols, some are less used than others. They seem to be a 1 or few letter abbreviation of the English word or a Greek or Latin root. They are always lower case and modern usage tends not to put them as subscripts.

Examples:

gas, liquid and solid: (g), (l), (s);

dissolved in water: (aq) from aqueous meaning water like aquatic animal. From the Latin root for water;

dry/no water: (anh) from anhydrous meaning without water like rehydrate. From the Greek word for water.

There is also (ppt) for precipitate but actually (s) means the same thing and is not used much anymore.

Answer 2

I'm sure the process varies state to state, but in Indiana for example, the General Assembly can choose to create or recognize an act. The act must then we signed by the Governor to become law. Symbols can also be purposed as a resolution in either the State Senate or State House of Representatives.