House Bill 1539 Summary

• Creates a special legislative committee composed of House Management Committee and Senate Rules Committee members organized into caucuses by congressional district to propose new Mississippi state flag designs by the 2020 Regular Session.

• Establishes a nonbinding statewide special election on November 3, 2020, where voters select from proposed flag designs and the current official flag design.

• Implements a runoff election three weeks later if no proposition receives a majority vote, between the two propositions with the highest vote totals.

• Requires the Legislature to consider the referendum results during the 2021 Regular Session and may amend Section 3-3-16 to change the official state flag design if chosen.

• Directs the Secretary of State to provide ballots with color pictures or drawings of all flag options to county election commissioners, with state funding for ballot printing costs and individual counties bearing other election expenses.