Senate approves resolution to align Utah flag with statute, plans ceremonial signing

The Utah Senate approved House Concurrent Resolution 2, endorsing a revised state flag design to bring the commonly used flag into compliance with statutory language describing the flag.

Sponsor Senator Madsen explained that the flag currently in wide use deviated from the 1913 statutory description when a 1922 change placed the date outside the shield; the proposed design restores the date '1847' inside the shield and adjusts coloring on the shield to increase contrast. "The date is in fact 1847, is in fact inside the shield," Madsen said, and described the redesign as "an improvement" intended to reflect the code.

Senators questioned technical details such as the relative size of the word "Industry" on the seal. The sponsor said there is no statutory size requirement for that element and that the primary focus was placement of the date. The Senate suspended the rules to consider the resolution for immediate passage and approved HCR 2 by roll call; the reading clerk recorded 26 yeas, 0 nays and 3 absent. The sponsor indicated the governor was expected to perform a ceremonial signing in the Gold Room shortly after passage.

The resolution affirms the statute dating to 1913 and encourages flag manufacturers and schools to follow the state code; existing flags may continue to be used until worn out. The action is a legislative endorsement and administrative instruction rather than a statute change; the resolution will be transmitted for the governor's ceremonial signing.