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Committee advances bill to set state flag retirement protocol; members urge tribal consultation
Summary
Senate Bill 66 would establish a dignified retirement process for the New Mexico state flag (including ceremonial burning or burial) and drew bipartisan support; committee asked sponsor to consult the Zia Pueblo about handling the Zia symbol and recommended do-pass.
Senate Bill 66, presented May 20, would establish a dignified process for retiring worn or damaged New Mexico state flags and align state guidance with existing federal and veterans’ ceremonial practice. The committee gave the bill a do-pass recommendation after brief testimony from the sponsor and a Girl Scout witness who had researched American Legion and federal flag code guidance.
Witness Haley Biddigan reviewed American Legion guidance and the historical federal flag code (title 36) appropriate to retiring flags and noted that ceremonial burning or burial has been the traditional practice for U.S. flags. The sponsor said the Girl Scouts had asked for consistent treatment of the state flag comparable to the U.S. flag.
Several senators strongly recommended formal outreach to Zia Pueblo because the New Mexico flag bears the Zia symbol; members suggested including language to encourage consultation or to document respectful consultation before the bill reaches the floor. Senator Cedillo Lopez offered a motion for a do-pass recommendation; the roll call returned a committee due-pass recommendation. The sponsor said she would pursue outreach to the tribe and incorporate consultation in preparation for floor presentation.
No organized opposition testified; committee members asked only that consultation steps be recorded and that the sponsor present any tribal input before floor consideration.
