House committee gives do-pass to bill aligning state flag disposal with U.S. Flag Code

A House Committee on Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs recommended a do-pass on House Bill 468 after sponsors said the measure would allow New Mexico’s state flag to be disposed of in the same manner as the U.S. flag.

The bill “tracks the federal language, I believe verbatim,” Sponsor (Representative) said, citing the U.S. Flag Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, and telling the panel the measure would permit disposal preferably by burning and provide for turning flags over to Veterans Affairs for disposal.

The committee chair asked whether anyone on the Zoom feed wished to speak for or against the bill; no one raised hands. A public commenter noted existing local practice for flag collection and disposal, saying, “you should contact your American Legion. Usually, there are you can look up on a website sometimes in your areas where you would, dispose of that,” and added that local groups and businesses such as Ace Hardware sometimes help collect flags for proper disposal.

Representative Johnson asked for confirmation that the bill mirrors federal law, asking, “Is that the, US flag code title 4 chapter 1?” Sponsor (Representative) responded, “Yes, madam chair.” Representative Johnson also moved a do-pass recommendation for House Bill 468; Representative DeRazas seconded the motion. After the chair called for opposition and none was recorded on the transcript, the committee announced, “We have a due pass.” The transcript does not include a roll-call or a recorded tally.

As noted in the meeting, the bill summary lists an effective date of 90 days (June 20). The committee also discussed scheduling for other items: House Bill 438 was moved to Thursday’s agenda and House Bill 484 was rolled indefinitely, according to the transcript.

The bill will proceed through the legislative process following the committee’s do-pass recommendation; the transcript does not record additional floor scheduling or further votes.