The commission tasked with redesigning Minnesota's state flag and seal wrapped up its work on Wednesday, approving a final report on the designs and its process that will be sent to the Legislature.
Minnesota's new flag design features an abstract shape of the state with a North Star and light blue representing water. The new state seal design showcases a red-eyed loon on a lake surrounded by pine trees, the North Star and sprigs of wild rice.
Several State Emblems Redesign Commission members said Wednesday that they were satisfied with the final designs.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon praised the commission for picking two "meaningful, enduring new emblems" in a relatively short time period.
Rep. Mike Freiberg, DFL-Golden Valley, said the process of choosing the designs elicited a mix of emotions.
"It's been emotional at times, and certainly not all of the comments have been super positive, especially if you go on social media," he said. "But I think when the dust settles on this, I think people will look back on the work we did with appreciation."
Unless the Legislature takes action to undo the commission's work, the new flag will begin flying atop government buildings on May 11 — Minnesota's Statehood Day.
Members of the public submitted more than 2,600 flag and seal designs to the commission in October. In doing so, they gave the state property rights over the images.
