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Utah House approves task force to study modernizing state flag after weeks of debate
Summary
The Utah House voted 49–23 to create a task force to consider updating the state flag and hold a public design process; supporters said a modern flag would improve recognition while opponents warned against erasing historical symbols.
The Utah House on March 3 approved a bill creating a task force to consider whether the state flag should be modernized, passing the measure 49–23 after several hours of floor debate. Representative Walter 'Wally' Handy, the House sponsor, said the effort would be a public, transparent process that could recommend new designs but keep the current flag for ceremonial use.
Supporters framed the bill as a branding and civic‑engagement exercise. "We need something that will instill greater pride," Representative Handy said, asking colleagues to back a process that would run from June through November and involve graphic designers, schoolchildren and the public. He noted the current flag was updated in 2011 but said a simpler, more recognizable symbol could better represent Utah nationwide.
Opponents pushed back that the proposal risks diminishing state history. Representative Dunnegan said, "Utah's flag features a state seal against a field of blue ... I love our flag, and I don't think that we need to try to turn our state into a high school or a college ... and give up our heritage." Other members questioned the need for a change and emphasized the flag's historical symbols, including the beehive and dates on the seal.
Floor debate produced at least two amendments. Representative Waite successfully moved to add one additional task‑force member representing the State Board of Education with expertise in state history; Handy said the bill already authorized working groups to include educators and historians. The chamber also adopted an amendment that removed commemorative dates from a proposed commemorative flag to limit changes to the existing seal.
The bill directs the task force to develop a report by the end of the interim with up to 10 example designs and recommends whether to pursue legislative changes later. The current flag would be designated the governor's flag for ceremonial use, the sponsor said. The proposal now returns to the Senate for further consideration.
