Mississippi, the last U.S. state with the Confederate battle emblem on its flag, is considering a compromise: two state flags, one with the emblem and one without.

Greg Snowden, Republican house speaker pro tempore in the GOP-dominated legislature, put the proposal in House Bill 372, a measure with the sole purpose of settling the flag issue.

Business groups, black activists and others have pushed for years to have the Confederate battle emblem—white stars set on a blue X against a red background—removed from the state flag. Some see it as a symbol of slavery and segregation, while others argue it makes businesses reluctant to locate in the economically challenged state of about 2.9 million people.

Flag supporters consider the banner, which has flown since 1894, as a tribute to ancestors who fought in the Civil War. They point to a state referendum in 2001 in which voters overwhelmingly chose to keep the current flag.

The two-flag proposal has been referred to the House Rules Committee for review. It would have to pass a vote in the powerful committee before it could head toward a full vote by the House. The bill apparently is one of several proposals being considered by government leaders to resolve the flag issue.