Expert critique on state flag doesn’t attract enough detractors to move legislation

Two Republicans vote to support bill that would create state flag commission

PIERRE — According to the North American Vexillogical Association, South Dakota's state flag is one of the ugliest in the nation. Criteria like a hard-to-see state seal, featuring the words “South Dakota” twice, and having more words (17 exactly) than any of its counterparts are what help doom it.

No member of the public or the Senate’s State Affairs Committee contested those points made by Democratic Sen. Reynold Nesiba Monday morning — or his two vexillologist testifiers — those who study flags. Nor did anyone speak up to defend the flag’s look.

Ryan Schultz, a senior at Brandon Valley High School and junior vexillologist, was the one who persuaded Nesiba to take up the legislation.

“Our flag just isn’t doing its job,” said Zach Deboer, one of the flag experts who helped design the city of Sioux Falls’ flag in 2018. “When we talk about distinctive, South Dakota is unfortunately a member of what vexillologists call ‘SOBS,’ seals on a bedsheet.” South Dakota is one of 21 states to be considered an “SOB.”

But compelling, yet light-hearted testimony was not enough to stop five Republican committee members from voting to effectively kill Nesiba’s bill to create a “state flag design commission.”

NEWS: South Dakota's minimum age to marry will stay at 16