MS HB1544

Establishes a statewide special election on November 8, 2016 to allow voters to decide whether to remove the Confederate Battle emblem from the Official Mississippi State Flag

Requires ballots with "YES" or "NO" options, with the Secretary of State providing ballots to county election commissioners and determining whether to use paper ballots or voting machines

Creates a 17-member Commission to Redesign the Mississippi State Flag if voters approve removal, including 3 House members, 3 Senate members, and 11 Governor appointees (high school students, educators, business representatives, arts and history representatives)

Mandates the commission present a new flag design to the Governor and Legislature by January 1, 2018, with the explicit prohibition that the new design cannot include the Confederate Battle Flag

State of Mississippi pays ballot costs while individual counties bear all other election costs; commission members receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses