HR 71 — A Concurrent Resolution establishing the Pennsylvania State Flag Commission to study the history of the State flag of the Commonwealth, solicit design submissions for a new State flag and recommend changes to the State flag.

PRINTER'S NO.    583

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 71
                                             Session of
                                               2025

     INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, VENKAT, KHAN, SANCHEZ, WAXMAN AND
        HADDOCK, FEBRUARY 12, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 12, 2025


                         A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
 1   Establishing the Pennsylvania State Flag Commission to study the
 2      history of the State flag of the Commonwealth, solicit design
 3      submissions for a new State flag and recommend changes to the
 4      State flag.
 5      WHEREAS, The act of June 13, 1907 (P.L.560, No.373), entitled
 6   "An act designating the official flag of the Commonwealth of
 7   Pennsylvania, and describing the same; providing for the
 8   carrying of such flag by the regiments of the National Guard of
 9   Pennsylvania; authorizing the Secretary of the Commonwealth to
10   provide, and have deposited in the office of Secretary of the
11   Commonwealth, a model of said flag, and making an appropriation
12   therefor," designates the official flag of the Commonwealth of
13   Pennsylvania and provides for the design of the flag; and
14      WHEREAS, The State flag is required to have a blue
15   background, using the same blue found in the United States flag,
16   with the Pennsylvania State coat of arms in the center and edges
17   trimmed with a fringe of knotted yellow silk; and
18      WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is one of many states with a flag that
19   has a seal on a blue background, making it indistinguishable
 1   from other state flags; and
 2         WHEREAS, The North American Vexillological Association
 3   outlined five principles of a good flag, which are to:
 4             (1)   keep it simple;
 5             (2)   use meaningful symbolism;
 6             (3)   use two or three basic colors;
 7             (4)   avoid lettering or seals; and
 8             (5)   be distinctive or be related;
 9   and
10         WHEREAS, The State flag of the Commonwealth violates every
11   single good flag principle; and
12         WHEREAS, Pennsylvania deserves a State flag that is
13   recognizable and stands out from other states while utilizing
14   good flag principles; therefore be it
15         RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the General Assembly
16   establish the Pennsylvania State Flag Commission to study the
17   history of the State flag of the Commonwealth, solicit design
18   submissions for a new State flag and recommend changes to the
19   State flag; and be it further
20         RESOLVED, That the commission consist of the following
21   members:
22             (1)   one member appointed by the Majority Leader of the
23         Senate;
24             (2)   one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
25         Senate;
26             (3)   one member appointed by the Majority Leader of the
27         House of Representatives;
28             (4)   one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the
29         House of Representatives;
30             (5)   one representative from the Pennsylvania Council on

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 1      the Arts;
 2             (6)   one representative from the North American
 3      Vexillological Association who, at the time of the formation
 4      of the commission, resides in this Commonwealth; and
 5             (7)   three members of the public appointed by the
 6      Governor;
 7   and be it further
 8      RESOLVED, That at its first meeting, the commission elect one
 9   member to serve as the chairperson of the commission; and be it
10   further
11      RESOLVED, That the commission have the authority to add
12   additional members to the commission and create subgroups within
13   the commission as it sees fit; and be it further
14      RESOLVED, That the commission seek comments and submissions
15   from the public on recommendations for a new State flag; and be
16   it further
17      RESOLVED, That the commission choose a flag design, or flag
18   designs, to recommend to the General Assembly to become the new
19   State flag; and be it further
20      RESOLVED, That the members of the commission serve without
21   compensation but be reimbursed for all necessary and reasonable
22   expenses incurred in the performance of their duties; and be it
23   further
24      RESOLVED, That reasonable expenses incurred by the commission
25   be equally divided between the Senate and the House of
26   Representatives; and be it further
27      RESOLVED, That the approval of the President pro tempore of
28   the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives be
29   required to preauthorize all proposed actions of the commission
30   that will entail the expenditure of State funds and approve all

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 1   expenditures, including expense reimbursement requests of
 2   commission members, prior to payment; and be it further
 3      RESOLVED, That nothing in this concurrent resolution preclude
 4   the commission from consulting or seeking the expertise of any
 5   individual, nonprofit entity, Commonwealth agency or office or
 6   legislative committee of the General Assembly to aid with the
 7   selection of a new State flag; and be it further
 8      RESOLVED, That the commission issue a final report with its
 9   findings and recommendations to the General Assembly within 12
10   months of the adoption of this resolution.




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