Public buildings and public works; providing for display of national motto in certain state buildings. Effective date.
The enactment of SB872 will standardize the display of the national motto across all public buildings in the state, reinforcing a principal national symbol within government structures. This action can be seen as a move towards emphasizing patriotism and national identity within public spaces. Moreover, it places the responsibility for implementation and any associated costs on the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, thus defining specific accountability for this new mandate in state law.
Senate Bill 872, introduced by Senator Dahm, is an act that mandates the display of the national motto of the United States in all state buildings in Oklahoma. The bill specifies that such displays must be prominently visible and is to be regulated by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. It aligns the display's placement and size with that of the national motto in the United States Capitol Visitor Center, ensuring consistency in representation. The effective date for this bill is set for November 1, 2021.
The bill may generate discussion regarding the appropriateness of displaying religious or patriotic symbols in government buildings. Opponents might argue that while the motto reflects national pride, its compulsory display could conflict with the principles of secularism in public institutions. Proponents, however, may view it as a necessary affirmation of national values and unity. The balance between maintaining a secular state while honoring national identity will likely be a point of contention surrounding the implementation of this bill.