Utah House asks flag makers to correct century-old placement error on state flag

Representative Julie Fisher, sponsor of HCR2, told the House the resolution asks flag manufacturers to correct a longstanding design error on the Utah state flag and to follow the state code when producing replacements. "I don't think that Ken Jennings or Watson, in a game of Jeopardy!, could figure out the mistake that was made to the Utah flag years ago," Fisher said as she described the flag's history and the error.

Fisher said the earliest official adoption and later code changes produced variants of the flag and that an embroidered version made in 1922 misplaced the founding date. She told members the resolution asks manufacturers to place the date 1847 inside the shield — to match the code — when current flags are retired and replaced. Fisher said the issue was brought to her attention by a flag expert and a historian and used the matter as an opportunity to engage students; fourth graders from Burton Elementary were in the gallery and had followed the measure in committee.

The resolution also mentions the state floral motif. (The sponsor described the official state flower as the sego lily; transcript text showed a likely transcription error as "sago lilies," which this article corrects to the official name, sego lily.) Fisher stressed the resolution does not require immediate replacement of functional flags: current flags and stationery remain valid until retired.

Floor comments highlighted the flag's historical symbolism. Representative Perry noted the eagle's six arrows and connected them to the region's Native tribes, saying the design reflects historical ties. Representative Dougal asked whether correcting the design would impose costs; Fisher replied current items need not be replaced immediately and the change applies as items are retired.

HCR2 was read three times and passed the House by voice vote with a recorded tally of 71 yes, 0 no. The resolution will be transmitted to the Senate for its consideration.