Critics agree the seal is hard to read, and that the overall design is similar to numerous other official state flags that use state seals on blue backgrounds.

Nebraska’s design ranks among the five worst flags of the 50 states, according to a survey by the North American Vexillological Association, a group that studies flags.

Nebraska’s flag design should be so simple a child can draw it from memory and use two or three basic colors, said Ron Sack, head of design for Bailey Lauerman, a Nebraska-based marketing and advertising agency. He testified in support of creating the task force.

Sack also said the flag should have meaningful symbolism. He designed the logo for the state’s 150th anniversary this year. It shows a stylized ear of corn that incorporates art elements found in the State Capitol; the color of the state flower, the goldenrod; and a blue background like the flag.

He pointed to Colorado’s simple flag with three white and blue horizontal stripes and a red “C” filled with the color gold. White represents snow on mountains, while gold is for Colorado’s sunshine, red is for the state’s red soil and blue is for its clear blue skies.