S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8344
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
October 20, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ABINANTI -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state law, in relation to removing the words "E
pluribus unum" from the motto on the arms and flag of the state
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 70 of the state law, as amended by section 1 of
part U of chapter 58 of the laws of 2020, is amended to read as follows:
§ 70. Description of the arms of the state and the state flag. The
device of arms of this state is hereby declared to be correctly
described as follows:
Charge. Azure, in a landscape, the sun in fess, rising in splendor or,
behind a range of three mountains, the middle one the highest; in base a
ship and sloop under sail, passing and about to meet on a river,
bordered below by a grassy shore fringed with shrubs, all proper.
Crest. On a wreath azure and or, an American eagle proper, rising to
the dexter from a two-thirds of a globe terrestrial, showing the north
Atlantic ocean with outlines of its shores.
Supporters. On a quasi compartment formed by the extension of the
scroll.
Dexter. The figure of Liberty proper, her hair disheveled and deco-
rated with pearls, vested azure, sandaled gules, about the waist a cinc-
ture or, fringed gules, a mantle of the last depending from the shoul-
ders behind to the feet, in the dexter hand a staff ensigned with a
Phrygian cap or, the sinister arm embowed, the hand supporting the
shield at the dexter chief point, a royal crown by her sinister foot
dejected.
Sinister. The figure of Justice proper, her hair disheveled and deco-
rated with pearls, vested or, about the waist a cincture azure, fringed
gules, sandaled and mantled as Liberty, bound about the eyes with a
fillet proper, in the dexter hand a straight sword hilted or, erect,
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13106-02-1
A. 8344 2
resting on the sinister chief point of the shield, the sinister arm
embowed, holding before her her scales proper.
Motto. On a scroll below the shield argent, in sable, [two lines. On
line one,] Excelsior [and on line two, E pluribus unum].
State flag. The state flag is hereby declared to be blue, charged with
the arms of the state in the colors as described in the blazon of this
section.
§ 2. (a) Any state flag, object, or printed materials containing the
depiction of the former arms of the state may continue to be used until
such flag, object, or printed materials' useful life has expired or
until the person possessing such flag, object, or printed material
replaces it. Such continued use shall not constitute a violation of
section seventy-two of the state law.
(b) Any electronic depiction of the arms of the state shall be updated
within 60 days of the effective date of this act.
(c) No state agency, local government, or public authority shall be
required to replace a flag solely because such flag contains the former
arms of the state.
§ 3. The secretary of state shall begin to use the new seal as of the
effective date of this act.
§ 4. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the department of
state is authorized to take any action, including entering into
contracts, that is necessary for the timely implementation of this act
on its effective date.