HF 4806

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/11/2024 02:16pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; recognizing the historic state flag; recognizing the
right of all persons to display the historic state flag; providing standards for its
display on state property; providing standards for its display on other public
property; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [1.1415] HISTORIC STATE FLAG.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Description. new text end

new text begin The design of the historic state flag is recognized and shall
conform substantially to the following description: The staff is surmounted by a bronze
eagle with outspread wings; the flag is rectangular in shape and is on a medium blue
background with a narrow gold border and a golden fringe. A circular emblem is contained
in the center of the blue field. The circular emblem is on a general white background with
a yellow border. The word MINNESOTA is inscribed in red lettering on the lower part of
the white field. The white emblem background surrounding a center design contains 19
five-pointed stars arranged symmetrically in four groups of four stars each and one group
of three stars. The latter group is in the upper part of the center circular white emblem. The
group of stars at the top in the white emblem consists of three stars of which the uppermost
star is the largest and represents the North Star. A center design is contained on the white
emblem and is made up of scenes from the historic design of the Great Seal of the State of
Minnesota, as described in Laws 1983, chapter 119, section 1, surrounded by a border of
intertwining cypripedium reginae, the state flower, on a blue field of the same color as the
general flag background. The flower border design contains the figures 1819, 1858, and
1893. The coloring is the same on both sides of the flag, but the lettering and the figures
appear reversed on one side.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Right of citizens to use and display the historic state flag. new text end

new text begin All persons maintain
the right to use and display the historic state flag upon any occasion deemed fitting and
appropriate.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Display of historic state flag on state property. new text end

new text begin The lieutenant governor shall
establish standards and specifications for the manufacture and display of the historic state
flag. The historic state flag shall be displayed:
new text end

new text begin (1) on state property during holidays as described in section 645.44, subdivision 5, as
determined by the governor; and
new text end

new text begin (2) on the Capitol complex during the annual regular session of the legislature, and
during any special session.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Display of historic state flag on other public property. new text end

new text begin (a) The historic state
flag may be displayed on any other public property for ceremonial purposes at any other
time, so long as the flag is serviceable.
new text end

new text begin (b) The historic state flag shall be replaced by the official flag, as described in section
1.141, when the historic state flag is not displayed on public property for ceremonial
purposes.
new text end

new text begin (c) When displaying the historic state flag on public property in any location where the
official flag is also displayed, the government entity responsible for the display of the flags
must ensure that the historic state flag is displayed beneath the official flag.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective May 11, 2024.
new text end