Utah’s Adoption of Two Legislative Measures Affecting the Utah State Flag

This paper details and documents the issues, efforts and outcomes ensuing from the adoption of Utah House Concurrent Resolution 2 and Utah House Bill 490 and analyzing their effects. In 2011 the 59th General Session of the Utah State Legislature met during a time of budgetary challenges and intense political controversy. Despite dealing with a heavy legislative schedule, the House and Senate considered and passed two measures concerning the Utah State Flag—House Concurrent Resolution 2, which urged that newly manufactured flags accurately reflect the statutory description, and House Bill 490, which provided for the annual commemoration of Utah State Flag Day. The North American Vexillological Association has participated in efforts to redesign the state flags in Utah and Oregon. However, neither attempt resulted in legislative adoption. Nonetheless, the experience gained in Utah does provide valuable insights that could be useful in obtaining adoption of new flag designs. Issues were raised that should be considered in order to make adoption of flag-related legislation possible. Plans, procedures, and strategies were employed that could be useful in other venues. Additionally, there were other benefits gained that support vexillology as a scholarly discipline and raised its exposure.

[IVI.CID] 70d7799b-57c7-4e99-9d5e-f5423e9426a3