_____________ joint resolution NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of the state flag.

WHEREAS, Montana's current state flag, which is the great seal of the State of Montana centered on a dark blue background, was adopted in 1905 by the 9th Legislature based on the flag borne by the 1st Montana Infantry in the Spanish-American War; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature has made two changes to the flag since then, adding "MONTANA" in gold letters above the seal in 1981 and requiring "MONTANA" to be spelled with Helvetica bold font in 1985; and

WHEREAS, 25 state flags in the United States include either the state's coat of arms or the seal of the state; and

WHEREAS, 15 of these flags have the state's coat of arms or the seal on a blue background, which makes them difficult to distinguish; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, the North American Vexillological Association, an organization devoted to the study of flags, ranked Montana's flag as the third worst flag design of all the state and provincial flags in the United States and Canada; and

WHEREAS, the state seal of Montana is difficult for school children to draw; and

WHEREAS, Montana has countless natural resources, geologic wonders, diverse landscapes, and robust communities, including eight tribal nations, from which to garner ideas for a new state flag; and

WHEREAS, Montanans pride themselves on their independent spirit, individuality, and innovation; and

WHEREAS, we should project that spirit with a unique flag design that unforgettably represents Montana.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to:

(1) solicit input from a variety of stakeholders, including the eight federally recognized tribal governments in Montana, on the future of Montana's state flag; and

(2) make a recommendation on whether a new state flag should be developed and, if so, what process should be used to determine the design and receive public input on it.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the study is assigned to staff, any findings or conclusions be presented to and reviewed by an appropriate committee designated by the Legislative Council.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2022.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 68th Legislature.