SALT LAKE CITY — Utah is one step closer to having a new flag flying over the Beehive State after the Senate passed the bill that will make it a reality.
Senate Bill 31 passed 17-10 on Monday and now advances to the Utah House of Representatives. The vote was a lot closer than originally thought after brushback over why the state even needed a new flag.
A special commission was created to help come up with the new flag along with public input. Thousands of designs and ideas were submitted before one was officially selected in November.
The proposed flag includes the following:
- Blue sky (the same shade of the current flag)
- Red rocks of southern Utah
- White mountain range (the five peaks representing historic tribes)
- Gold hexagon signifying strength
- Gold beehive signifying industry
- 5-point star (symbolizing statehood)
The flag was altered again on Monday to remove an eight-point Native American "hope star." Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, told his Senate colleagues that he had heard from some Native Americans who felt from a distance on the flag it appeared to be an asterisk and that was how they felt in the state. He said he changed it to honor them.
"I've heard from a lot of native people who say their connection with the land is stronger," he told FOX 13 News, adding that the peaks "really represents the giants that came before as they were settling the valley."
Many Native American tribes use mountains in their flags as well, he said.
The flag bill has strangely become a divisive issue with some accusing the senator of being "woke" and "canceling" the current state flag. Others have rallied around the new design. The current flag will be used a ceremonial flag moving forward.
Sen. McCay said it's not uncommon for a state to have a ceremonial and "people's flag."
