Budget Amendment ID: FY2025-S4-125-R2

2nd Redraft GOV 125

Advisory commission to design a new seal, flag, and motto for the Commonwealth

Mr. Lewis, Ms. Rausch and Ms. Miranda moved that the proposed new text be amended by adding the following words:- “; provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended for the office to establish an advisory commission as recommended in the report of the special commission relative to the seal and motto of the commonwealth as established in chapter 2 of the resolves of 2020, which shall propose a new seal, flag and motto of the commonwealth; provided further, that members of the advisory commission shall include the executive director of the commission on Indian affairs or a designee, an additional designee chosen by the executive director of the commission on Indian Affairs, the director of the Massachusetts office on disability or a designee, a member of the Massachusetts historical commission chosen by the state secretary, the executive director of the Massachusetts cultural council or a designee, the executive director of Mass Humanities or a designee, the state secretary or a designee, the secretary of education or a designee, the executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism or a designee and 1 other member chosen by the governor; provided further, that the advisory commission shall be co-chaired by 2 members as determined by the governor; provided further, that all appointments shall be made, and the first meeting of the advisory commission shall be held, within 60 days of enactment;  provided further, that the advisory commission shall make recommendations for the adoption of: (i) a new design for the state seal; (ii) a new design for the state flag, which may or may not be the same design as the state seal; and (iii) a new state motto; provided further, the advisory commission may issue a public request for proposals for a professional designer to prepare a new seal design and flag design based on the symbols and terms proposed by the advisory commission; provided further, that the advisory commission may create a public process and hold public hearings to solicit design ideas from the general public; provided further, that the advisory commission shall select three options for the designs for a new seal and new flag of the commonwealth and new motto of the commonwealth and shall hold not less than three public hearings in geographically diverse locations across the commonwealth to solicit public input; provided further, that the advisory commission shall select a final design for a new seal and new flag of the commonwealth and a new motto of the commonwealth; provided further, that the advisory commission shall develop recommendations for implementation of the new state motto and the new designs of the state seal and flag, including, but not limited to: (i) a timeline and cost estimates; and (ii) educational programs to help residents understand local indigenous history and the historical underpinnings of the previous and new seals, mottos and flags from an indigenous perspective; provided further, that following the selection of a new state motto and new designs for the seal and flag by the advisory commission, the governor shall submit legislation to the general court to amend relevant sections of the General Laws to codify the new state motto and designs for the seal and flag; provided further, that the advisory commission shall make its final recommendations not more than 12 months after the passage of this act”; and by striking out the figure “$568,309” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$668,309.”