Utah
Utah Legislature could hold special session to approve new state flag
Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson factors to one of many 5,703 Utah state flag designs posted to the partitions of the Utah workplace constructing in Millcreek on June 23. The Utah Legislature may meet for a particular session subsequent month to approve a brand new state flag really useful by the Utah State Flag Job Power. (Carter Williams, KSL.com)
Estimated learn time: 2-3 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Legislature may meet for a particular session subsequent month to approve a brand new state flag.
“There would solely be a particular session, frankly, if there was a sense of virtually consensus, that we may discover this acceptable,” mentioned Rep. Steve Helpful, R-Layton, chairman of the Financial Improvement and Workforce Companies Interim Committee.
Throughout the committee’s assembly on Wednesday, Helpful mentioned the invoice that created the Utah State Flag Job Power in 2021 states a brand new flag might be accredited by the Legislature this 12 months. That does not imply lawmakers are required to make the selection this 12 months, nonetheless.
If they cannot come to an settlement, “Then we might proceed the dialogue, and if not, it might be within the 2023 session and take a look at it once more, hold making an attempt,” Helpful mentioned.
Ought to it meet subsequent month, the Legislature would vote on whether or not to approve or reject one flag design really useful by the duty power.
Some lawmakers on Wednesday questioned why the problem is necessary sufficient to carry a particular session.
“It is a political query that we’re making an attempt to resolve,” Helpful mentioned.
“I see the necessity for us to have an up to date flag, the query being if any of the present design, or the chosen design, can be the one that everybody would agree on,” mentioned Rep. Jeff Stenquist, R-Draper.
He added that he hasn’t been a “fan” of any of the proposed designs. Final month, the duty power launched its record of 20 finalists for the brand new design. The group has not but introduced its advice.
Helpful mentioned that ought to the duty power submit a last advice, the Legislature may meet for a particular session whereas lawmakers are on the Capitol for interim conferences.
Since 1903, Utah has flown its state seal on its flag. The design acquired a touch-up in 1911 and — other than an adjustment to repair an error in 2011 — has remained the identical for over a century.
However state leaders contend Utah’s flag is in want of an replace as a result of they word that it would not actually stand out or symbolize the state as a lot because it did within the early 1900s. The state started a redesign course of final 12 months when the Utah Legislature accredited the creation of the flag choice job power.
If a brand new design is accredited, the present flag will not be retired. It can turn out to be the official flag of the governor’s workplace.