63G-1 - State Symbols and Designations
Title 63G > 63G-1
Sections (15)
General Provisions
63G-1-101 - Title.
63G-1-101(1) This title is known as “General Government.” 63G-1-101(2) This chapter is known as “State Symbols and Designations.”
State Language
63G-1-201 - Official state language.
English is declared to be the official language of Utah.
State Holidays
63G-1-301 - Legal holidays — Personal preference day — Governor authorized to declare additional legal holidays.
63G-1-301(1) The following days are legal holidays in Utah:except as provided in Subsection (2)(a) or (b):January 1, New Year’s Day;July 4, Independence Day;July 24, Pioneer Day;November 11, Veterans Day;December 25, Christmas; anda day designated by proclamation issued by the president of the United States or the governor as a day of fasting or thanksgiving;the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox, Easter Sunday;the third Monday of January, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day;the third Monday of February, Washington and Lincoln Day;the last Monday of May, Memorial Day;the first Monday of September, Labor Day;the second Monday of October, Columbus Day;the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving Day; andexcept as provided in Subsection (2)(c) or (d), June 19, Juneteenth National Freedom Day; andexcept as provided in Subsection (3), every Sunday. 63G-1-301(2) If a day described in Subsection (1)(a) falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the legal holiday.If a day described in Subsection (1)(a) falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is the legal holiday.If June 19 falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, the preceding Monday is the legal holiday.If June 19 falls on Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is the legal holiday. 63G-1-301(3) For purposes of Utah Constitution, Article VI, Section 16, Subsection (1), regarding the exclusion of state holidays from the 45-day legislative general session, Sunday is not considered a state holiday. 63G-1-301(4) Each employee may select one additional day, called Personal Preference Day, to be scheduled in accordance with rules made, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, by the Division of Human Resource Management, which the employee may use to observe a state holy day, as described in Section 63G-1-1101, or any other day the employee chooses to recognize. 63G-1-301(5) If, in the governor’s opinion, extraordinary conditions exist justifying the action, the governor may:declare, by proclamation, legal holidays in addition to those legal holidays described in Subsections (1) and (2); orlimit the legal holidays described in Subsection (5)(a)(i) to certain classes of business and activities to be designated by the governor.Except as provided in Subsection (5)(c), a legal holiday described in Subsection (5)(a) may not extend for a longer period than 60 consecutive days.The governor may, by proclamation:renew a legal holiday described in Subsection (5)(a) for one or more periods not exceeding 30 days each as the governor determines necessary; orterminate a legal holiday described under Subsection (5)(a) or (b) earlier than the time period described in a preceding proclamation.
State Commemorative Periods
63G-1-401 - Commemorative periods.
63G-1-401(1) As used in this section, “commemorative period” means a special observance declared by the governor that annually recognizes and honors a culturally or historically significant day, week, month, or other time period in the state. 63G-1-401(2) The governor may declare a commemorative period by issuing a declaration.The governor shall maintain a list of all commemorative periods declared by the governor. 63G-1-401(3) The governor’s declaration of a commemorative period expires the year immediately following the day on which the governor issues the declaration.Subsection (3)(a) does not prevent the governor from redeclaring a commemorative period before or after the commemorative period expires. 63G-1-401(4) Notwithstanding Subsections (2) and (3), the following days shall be commemorated annually:Utah History Day at the Capitol, on the Friday immediately following the fourth Monday in January, to encourage citizens of the state, including students, to participate in activities that recognize Utah’s history;Day of Remembrance for Incarceration of Japanese Americans, on February 19, in remembrance of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II;Utah State Flag Day, on March 9;Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, on March 29;Utah Railroad Workers Day, on May 10;Dandy-Walker Syndrome Awareness Day, on May 11;Armed Forces Day, on the third Saturday in May, in honor of men and women who are serving or have served in the United States Armed Forces around the world in defense of freedom;Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita Awareness Day, on June 30;Navajo Code Talker Day, on August 14;Rachael Runyan/Missing and Exploited Children’s Day, on August 26, the anniversary of the day three-year-old Rachael Runyan was kidnaped from a playground in Sunset, Utah, to:encourage individuals to make child safety a priority;remember the importance of continued efforts to reunite missing children with their families; andhonor Rachael Runyan and all Utah children who have been abducted or exploited;September 11th Day of Remembrance, on September 11, in honor and remembrance of the first responders and persons killed and injured in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001;Constitution Day, on September 17, to invite all Utah adults and Utah school children to read directly from the United States Constitution and other primary sources, and for students to be taught principles from the United States Constitution that include federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, limited government, and the necessary and proper, commerce, and supremacy clauses;POW/MIA Recognition Day, on the third Friday in September;Victims of Communism Memorial Day, on November 7;Indigenous People Day, on the Monday immediately preceding Thanksgiving; andBill of Rights Day, on December 15. 63G-1-401(5) The Department of Veterans and Military Affairs shall coordinate activities, special programs, and promotional information to heighten public awareness and involvement relating to Subsections (4)(g) and (m). 63G-1-401(6) The month of April shall be commemorated annually as Clean Out the Medicine Cabinet Month to:recognize the urgent need to make Utah homes and neighborhoods safe from prescription medication abuse and poisonings by the proper home storage and disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medications; andeducate citizens about the permanent medication disposal sites in Utah listed on useonlyasdirected.org that allow disposal throughout the year. 63G-1-401(7) The second full week of April shall be commemorated annually as Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week to recognize and increase awareness within the community of the services that animal care and control professionals provide. 63G-1-401(8) The first full week of May shall be commemorated annually as State Water Week to recognize the importance of water conservation, quality, and supply in the state. 63G-1-401(9) The third full week of June shall be commemorated annually as Workplace Safety Week to heighten public awareness regarding the importance of safety in the workplace. 63G-1-401(10) The second Friday and Saturday in August shall be commemorated annually as Utah Fallen Heroes Days to:honor fallen heroes who, during service in the military or public safety, have sacrificed their lives to protect the country and the citizens of the state; andencourage political subdivisions to acknowledge and honor fallen heroes. 63G-1-401(11) The third full week in August shall be commemorated annually as Drowsy Driving Awareness Week to:educate the public about the relationship between fatigue and driving performance; andencourage the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation to recognize and promote educational efforts on the dangers of drowsy driving. 63G-1-401(12) The month of September shall be commemorated annually as American Founders and Constitution Month to:encourage all civic, fraternal, and religious organizations, and public and private educational institutions, to recognize and observe this occasion through appropriate programs, teaching, meetings, services, or celebrations in which state, county, and local governmental officials are invited to participate; andinvite all Utah school children to read directly from the United States Constitution and other primary sources, and to be taught principles from the United States Constitution that include federalism, checks and balances, separation of powers, popular sovereignty, limited government, and the necessary and proper, commerce, and supremacy clauses. 63G-1-401(13) The third full week of September shall be commemorated annually as Gang Prevention Awareness Week. 63G-1-401(14) The month of October shall be commemorated annually as Italian-American Heritage Month. 63G-1-401(15) The month of November shall be commemorated annually as American Indian Heritage Month. 63G-1-401(16) The first full week of December shall be commemorated annually as Avalanche Awareness Week to:educate the public about avalanche awareness and safety;encourage collaborative efforts to decrease annual avalanche accidents and fatalities; andhonor Utah residents who have lost their lives in avalanches, including those who lost their lives working to prevent avalanches.
State Flags
63G-1-501 - State flag — Description — Image — Display.
63G-1-501(1) The state flag of Utah shall be a rectangle that has a width to length ratio of three to five and contain the following:
two irregular, horizontal lines dividing the flag into three separate segments, of which: the top segment:
is located above the higher horizontal line; and is shaded in blue; the middle segment:
is located between the two horizontal lines; is shaded in white; at the higher horizontal line, takes the shape of a mountain with five peaks, the center peak being the tallest and following the shape of the highest point of the hexagon described in Subsection (1)(b); and at the lower horizontal line, follows the shape of the lowest point of the hexagon described in Subsection (1)(b); and the bottom segment:
is located below the lower horizontal line; and is shaded in red; one hexagon that: is shaded in blue; contains a smaller gold hexagon outline; and is placed within the center of the middle segment described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii); one beehive that: is shaded in gold; contains five hive sections with a small semicircle removed from the center of the base of the lowest section; and is placed within the center of the hexagon described in Subsection (1)(b); and one five-pointed Utah star that: is shaded in white; and is placed below the center of the beehive described in Subsection (1)(c). 63G-1-501(2) The state flag shall represent and symbolize the following:
the beehive described in Subsection (1)(c) symbolizes industry, community, and the year 1847, the year in which pioneers first settled Utah; the Utah star described in Subsection (1)(d) symbolizes hope and the year 1896, the year in which Utah was admitted to statehood; the hexagon described in Subsection (1)(b) symbolizes the strength of Utah’s people; the top segment described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) represents Utah’s skies and symbolizes faith; the middle segment described in Subsection (1)(a)(ii) represents Utah’s snowy mountains and peace, the peaks of which symbolize Utah’s indigenous peoples; and the bottom segment described in Subsection (1)(a)(iii) represents the red rocks of Southern Utah and symbolizes perseverance and the state’s unique landscapes. 63G-1-501(3) The state flag shall appear consistent with the following image: 63G-1-501(4) The state flag shall be available in the public domain and be displayed on all occasions when the state is officially and publicly represented, with the privilege of use by all citizens upon any occasion deemed fitting and appropriate. 63G-1-501(5) The lieutenant governor shall establish standards and specifications for the manufacture and display of the state flag.
63G-1-503 - Historic state flag — Description — Image — Display.
63G-1-503(1) The historic state flag shall be a flag of blue field, with the following device worked in natural colors on the center of the blue field:
in the center a shield;
above the shield and thereon an American eagle with outstretched wings;
the top of the shield pierced with six arrows arranged crosswise;
upon the shield under the arrows the word “Industry,” and below the word “Industry” on the center of the shield, a beehive;
on each side of the beehive, growing sego lilies;
below the beehive and near the bottom of the shield, the word “Utah”;
below the word “Utah” and on the bottom of the shield, the figures “1847”;
behind the shield, there shall be two American flags on flagstaffs placed crosswise with the flags so draped to project beyond each side of the shield, the heads of the flagstaffs appearing in front of the eagle’s wings and the bottom of each staff appearing over the face of the draped flag below the shield;
below the shield and flags and upon the blue field, the figures “1896”; and
around the entire design, a narrow circle in gold. 63G-1-503(2) The historic state flag shall appear consistent with any of the following three images: 63G-1-503(3) All citizens maintain the right to use the historic state flag upon any occasion deemed fitting and appropriate. 63G-1-503(4) The lieutenant governor shall establish standards and specifications for the manufacture and display of the historic state flag. 63G-1-503(5) The historic state flag shall be displayed:
on state property during legal holidays described in Section
63G-1-301
, as deemed appropriate by the governor; and
at capitol hill, as defined in Section
63O-1-101
, during the annual general session of the Legislature. 63G-1-503(6) The historic state flag may be displayed on state property for ceremonial purposes, so long as the flag is serviceable.
The historic state flag shall be replaced by the state flag of Utah, as described in Section
63G-1-501
, when the historic state flag is not displayed for ceremonial purposes.
When displaying the historic state flag on public grounds in any location where the state flag of Utah, as described in Section
63G-1-501
, is also displayed, the governmental entity responsible for the display of the flags shall ensure that the historic state flag is displayed beneath the state flag of Utah.
State Symbols
63G-1-601 - State symbols.
63G-1-601(1) Utah’s state animal is the elk. 63G-1-601(2) Utah’s state bird is the sea gull. 63G-1-601(3) Utah’s state bird of prey is the golden eagle. 63G-1-601(4) Utah’s state centennial astronomical symbol is the Beehive Cluster located in the constellation of Cancer the Crab. 63G-1-601(5) Utah’s state centennial star is Dubhe, one of the seven bright stars composing the Big Dipper in the constellation Ursa Major. 63G-1-601(6) Utah’s state centennial tartan, which honors the first Scots known to have been in Utah and those Utahns of Scottish heritage, shall have a pattern or repeating-half-sett of white-2, blue-6, red-6, blue-4, red-6, green-18, red-6, and white-4 to represent the tartan worn anciently by the Logan and Skene clans, with the addition of a white stripe. 63G-1-601(7) Utah’s state cooking pot is the dutch oven. 63G-1-601(8) Utah’s state crustacean is the Artemia franciscana, or brine shrimp. 63G-1-601(9) Utah’s state demonym is “Utahn.” 63G-1-601(10) Utah’s state dinosaur is the Utahraptor. 63G-1-601(11) Utah’s state emblem is the beehive. 63G-1-601(12) Utah’s state emblem of service and sacrifice of lives lost by members of the military in defense of our freedom is the “Honor and Remember” flag, which consists of:a red field covering the top two-thirds of the flag;a white field covering the bottom one-third of the flag, which contains the words “honor” and “remember”;a blue star overlaid by a gold star with a thin white border in the center of the flag spanning the red field and the white field; anda representation of a folded United States flag beneath the blue and gold stars with three tongues of flame emanating from its top point into the center of the gold star. 63G-1-601(13) Utah’s state firearm is the John M. Browning designed M1911 automatic pistol. 63G-1-601(14) Utah’s state fish is the Bonneville cutthroat trout. 63G-1-601(15) Utah’s state flower is the sego lily. 63G-1-601(16) Utah’s state folk dance is the square dance, the folk dance that is called, cued, or prompted to the dancers and includes squares, rounds, clogging, contra, line, and heritage dances. 63G-1-601(17) Utah’s state fossil is the Allosaurus. 63G-1-601(18) Utah’s state fruit is the cherry. 63G-1-601(19) Utah’s state gem is topaz, as is prominently found in the Thomas Mountain Range in Juab County, Utah. 63G-1-601(20) Utah’s state grass is Indian rice grass. 63G-1-601(21) Utah’s state hymn is “Utah We Love Thee” by Evan Stephens. 63G-1-601(22) Utah’s state insect is the honeybee. 63G-1-601(23) Utah’s state military museum is the Fort Douglas Military Museum. 63G-1-601(24) Utah’s state mineral is copper. 63G-1-601(25) Utah’s state motto is “Industry.” 63G-1-601(26) Utah’s state mushroom is the porcini. 63G-1-601(27) Utah’s state railroad museum is Ogden Union Station. 63G-1-601(28) Utah’s state reptile is the Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum), whose habitat includes Southwest Utah. 63G-1-601(29) Utah’s state rock is coal. 63G-1-601(30) Utah’s state song is “Utah This is the Place” by Sam and Gary Francis. 63G-1-601(31) Utah’s state stone is honeycomb calcite, which originates in Duchesne County, Utah. 63G-1-601(32) Utah’s state tree is the quaking aspen. 63G-1-601(33) Utah’s state vegetable is the Spanish sweet onion. 63G-1-601(34) Utah’s historic state vegetable is the sugar beet. 63G-1-601(35) Utah’s state winter sports are skiing and snowboarding. 63G-1-601(36) Utah’s state works of art are Native American rock art. 63G-1-601(37) Utah’s state work of land art is the Spiral Jetty.
Display of Flags by a Government Entity
63G-1-701 - Title.
This part is known as “Display of Flags by a Government Entity.”
63G-1-702 - Definitions.
As used in this part: 63G-1-702(1) “Capitol hill complex” means capitol hill, as defined in Section 63O-1-101. 63G-1-702(2) “Flag” means a depiction or emblem made from fabric or cloth.”Flag” does not include a depiction or emblem made from:lights;paint;roofing;siding;paving materials;flora;balloons; orany other building, landscaping, or decorative component other than fabric or cloth. 63G-1-702(3) “Flag of the United States” is the flag described in United States Code Title 4, Chapter 1, The Flag. 63G-1-702(4) “POW/MIA flag” means the POW/MIA flag of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia.
63G-1-703 - Display of POW/MIA flag.
63G-1-703(1) In any place at the capitol hill complex, with the exception of the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial, where the United States flag is displayed out of doors, the entity responsible for the display of the United States flag shall display the POW/MIA flag, in the manner described in Subsection (3), from sunrise to sunset on the following days:
Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May; Memorial Day, the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Veterans Day, November 11; and National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the third Friday in September. 63G-1-703(2) The Department of Veterans and Military Affairs shall ensure that, in any place where the United States flag is displayed out of doors at a cemetery that is operated by the Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, the POW/MIA flag is displayed in the manner described in Subsection (3). 63G-1-703(3) When displaying the POW/MIA flag under Subsection (1) or (2), the entity responsible to display the flag shall fly or hang the POW/MIA flag as follows:
if the United States flag and the POW/MIA flag are attached to the same flag pole, by placing the POW/MIA flag directly under the United States flag; or if the United States flag and the POW/MIA flag are displayed near each other, but not on the same flag pole, by placing the top of the POW/MIA flag below the top of the United States flag.
63G-1-704 - Display of flags on government property — Indemnification — Severability.
63G-1-704(1) As used in this section:“Display” means, in regards to a flag, to place a flag in a prominent location on government property where the flag is easily visible.”Flag” means a usually rectangular piece of fabric with a specific design that symbolizes a location, government entity, or cause.”Government entity” means:any local government entity, as defined in Section 63A-5b-901, including a school within the public education system; orany state agency, as defined in Section 63A-5b-901.”Government property” means any property under the ownership or control of a government entity.”LEA governing board” means the same as that term is defined in Section 53E-1-102. 63G-1-704(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a government entity, or an employee of a school district or school within the public education system acting within the employee’s official duties, may not:display a flag in or on the grounds of government property; ordisplay an exempt flag described in Subsection (3) with alterations in color, symbols, or appearance. 63G-1-704(3) The prohibition described in Subsection (2) does not apply to the following flags:the official flag of the United States described in Title 4 U.S.C., Ch. 1, The Flag, and Executive Order 1959-10834, and in accordance with Section 53G-7-211;an official Utah state flag as described in Title 63G, Chapter 1, Part 5, State Flags;the current and official flag of another country, state, or political subdivision of another country or state;a flag that represents a city, municipality, county, or political subdivision of the state, as those terms are defined in Sections 10-1-104, 10-2-301, 17-60-101, and 17B-1-102;a flag that represents a branch, unit, or division of the United States military;the National League of Families POW/MIA flag as described in 36 U.S.C. Sec. 902;a flag that represents an Indian tribe as defined in federal law;an officially licensed flag of a college or university depicting only the colors, logos, and marks consistent with official college or university branding;a historic version of a flag described in Subsections (3)(a) and (b);an official public school flag;an official flag of the United States Olympic Committee, United States Paralympic Committee, International Olympic Committee, or International Paralympic Committee;an official flag of an olympiad or paralympiad that occurred or will occur within the state; ora flag of an organization authorized to use a public school facility at the location and during the time in which the organization is authorized to use the public school facility. 63G-1-704(4) The state auditor shall:establish a process to receive and investigate alleged violations of this section;provide notice to the relevant government entity of:each alleged violation of this section involving the government entity;each violation that the state auditor determines to be substantiated, including an opportunity to cure the violation not to exceed 30 calendar days;if a government entity, other than a school district or a school within the public education system, fails to cure a violation in accordance with Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(B), impose a fine of $500 per violation per day; anddeposit fines described in Subsection (4)(a)(iii) into the General Fund.A government entity may seek judicial review of a fine the state auditor imposes under this section to determine whether the imposition of the fine is clearly erroneous. 63G-1-704(5) Nothing in this section, for a local education agency, as defined in Section 53E-1-102:limits the authority of the agency related to student expression under applicable federal or state law; orremoves the agency’s obligation to protect all students from discrimination. 63G-1-704(6) Regarding a school district or a school within the public education system, the attorney general shall defend and the state shall indemnify and hold harmless a person acting under color of state law to enforce this section for any claims or damages, including court costs and attorney fees, that:arise as a result of this section; andare not covered by the person’s insurance policies or by any coverage agreement the State Risk Management Fund issues. 63G-1-704(7) If any provision of this section or the application of any provision of this section to any person or circumstance is held invalid by a final decision of a court, the remainder of this section shall be given effect without the invalidated provision or application.
Daylight Saving Time
63G-1-901 - Year-round daylight saving time.
63G-1-901(1) As used in this section:
“Mountain daylight time” means the period during a year when mountain standard time is advanced one hour in accordance with 15 U.S.C. Sec. 260a. “Mountain standard time” means the observed time assigned to the mountain time zone in 15 U.S.C. Sec. 261. 63G-1-901(2) Utah exempts all areas of the state from standard time. 63G-1-901(3) The year-round observed time of the entire state and all of the state’s political subdivisions is mountain daylight time.
State Living Historic Landmark
63G-1-1001 - Living historic landmarks.
63G-1-1001(1) As used in this part, “living historic landmark” means a cultural event:that is significant to the history, culture, economy, and character of the state;that is unique to the state;that is first in the nation;that has occurred in the state at least annually for no less than 65 years;for any designation after May 1, 2024, that is nominated by the Legislative Management Committee for the Legislature’s consideration as a living historic landmark; andthat the Legislature designates as a living historic landmark in Section 63G-1-1002. 63G-1-1001(2) A living historic landmark is not owned or managed by the state.
63G-1-1002 - Living historic landmarks designated.
Ballet West’s production of Willam Christensen’s “The Nutcracker” is designated as a living historic landmark.
State Holy Days
63G-1-1101 - State holy days.
63G-1-1101(1) As used in this section, “state holy day” means an annual day or other time period of special religious significance that the state officially recognizes and observes as a holy day under this section. 63G-1-1101(2) A state holy day is not a legal holiday or state holiday, unless the state holy day is also designated as a legal holiday under Section 63G-1-301. 63G-1-1101(3) The following are state holy days:Holi, on the last full moon day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Phalguna;Lunar New Year, from the lunar calendar’s first new moon through the lunar calendar’s first full moon;Good Friday, on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday;Easter Sunday, on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox;Eid al-Fitr, on the first day of the Islamic lunar month of Shawwal;Passover, for eight days, starting on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew lunisolar month of Nisan;Vesak Day, on the first full moon of the Hindu lunisolar month of Vaisakha;Eid al-Adha, on the tenth day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhu al-Hijjah;Rosh Hashanah, on the first two days of the Hebrew lunisolar month of Tishrei;Yom Kippur, on the tenth day of the Hebrew lunisolar month of Tishrei;Diwali, on the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik; andChristmas, on December 25.