HF 884

as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 01/25/2023 12:44pm

A bill for an act
relating to state government; designating the Freedom Flag as an official symbol
of the state's commitment to remembering the American lives lost as a result of
the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; encouraging display of the flag on
certain days in certain public locations; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 10.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [10.598] 9/11 REMEMBRANCE; FREEDOM FLAG.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Designation. new text end

new text begin The Freedom Flag created by the Freedom Flag Foundation
is designated as the symbol of our state's concern and commitment to remembering the
American lives lost as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Among those
lost were members of the military, police, fire, and other rescue and first response personnel
acting in the line of duty. Each year on September 11, schools are encouraged to offer
instruction on the events of that day, and the role of the many military, police, fire, and
other rescue and first response personnel in responding to the attacks.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Suggested days for flag display. new text end

new text begin (a) The chief administrator of each
governmental building or facility within this state, as defined in paragraph (b), is encouraged
to display the Freedom Flag on September 11 of each year.
new text end

new text begin (b) For purposes of this section, "governmental building or facility within this state"
means the following locations:
new text end

new text begin (1) the Minnesota State Capitol, the Office of the Governor and each other Minnesota
constitutional office, the chambers of the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House of
Representatives, the Minnesota Supreme Court Building and each Minnesota District Court
House, as well as any official state of Minnesota veterans memorial, Minnesota veterans
home, or Minnesota veterans cemetery;
new text end

new text begin (2) to the extent authorized by federal law and regulation, any United States veterans
cemetery, veterans memorial, post office, or other federal building, as well as any United
States Department of Veterans Affairs medical center, veterans service center, and veterans
community-based outreach center; and
new text end

new text begin (3) any appropriate local government building or facility, as determined by the governing
body of that local government.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Limitation. new text end

new text begin This section may not be construed or interpreted to require any
employee to report to work solely for the purpose of providing for the display of the Freedom
Flag or any other flag.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Implementation. new text end

new text begin If a governmental building or facility within this state opts
to display the Freedom Flag, the chief administrator of that facility shall prescribe procedures
necessary for the display.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Flag donation. new text end

new text begin Any named public office or public official may accept a donation
of one or more Freedom Flags for the purpose of this section.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end