Breaking: Resolution passes Mississippi House to remove current state flag

A resolution to remove the current Missisisppi state flag passed the State House of Representatives by a vote of 85-34 on Saturday afternoon.

The rules of the Legislature were suspended to allow the vote.

The legislation reads as follows:

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUSPENDING THE DEADLINES FOR THE
PURPOSE OF REQUESTING THE DRAFTING, AND THE INTRODUCTION,
CONSIDERATION AND PASSAGE, OF A BILL ENTITLED “AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO REDESIGN THE MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG; TO PRESCRIBE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS ORGANIZATION AND MEETINGS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DESIGN FOR THE MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION SHALL NO INCLUDE THE DESIGN OF THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG BUT SHALL INCLUDE THE WORDS “IN GOD WE TRUST”; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL MAKE ITS RECOMMENDATION FOR A DESIGN FOR THE NEW MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG BY SEPTEMBER 14, 2020; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DESIGN FOR THE NEW MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMISSION SHALL BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT IN A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3, 2020; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS VOTE FOR THE NEW DESIGN, THEN THE LEGISLATURE SHALL ENACT INTO LAW THE NEW DESIGN AS THE OFFICIAL MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS VOTE AGAINST THE NEW DESIGN, THEN THE COMMISSION TO REDESIGN THE MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG SHALL RECONVENE TO RECOMMEND A NEW DESIGN FOR THE MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG TO BE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATURE DURING THE 2021 REGULAR SESSION; TO REQUIRE THAT THE SPECIAL ELECTION BE ADMINISTERED BY MEANS OF BALLOTS CONTAINING A COLOR PICTURE OR DRAWING OF THE DESIGN FOR THE MISSISSIPPI STATE FLAG; TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROVIDE THOSE BALLOTS TO THE ELECTION COMMISSIONERS OF EACH COUNTY; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-351 AND 23-15-355, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDINGPROVISIONS; TO REPEAL SECTION 3-3-16, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972,WHICH PROVIDES THE DESIGN FOR THE OFFICIAL FLAG OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.”

Governor Reeves has said he will sign the bill if presented to him this weekend.

Below are the votes in the House: