House panel advances bill to limit classroom flags to U.S. and state banners

Representative Ted Hill introduced House Bill 10 to the House Education Committee as a measure to make the American flag and the Idaho state flag the primary flags displayed in public school classrooms. "The intent of this bill is to assure that the American flag and the state flag are the primary flags in the public school," Hill said, adding that "anything else we put in the classroom is a distraction." The committee heard roughly an hour of questions and public testimony before voting to advance the bill to the full House.

The bill’s sponsor and supporters framed the proposal as a way to promote unity and daily recognition of patriotism in schools. Hill said the bill is intended to ensure students "see that American flag and state flag" when they enter class and to "bring the patriotism back." Edward Clark of the Idaho Family Policy Center testified in support, arguing that the proposal would "encourage healthy patriotism in children across the state." Representative Harris and several other committee members said they would back the bill for similar reasons.

Opponents — including public-school teachers and students who testified — said the bill’s language is vague and risks restricting speech and expression by teachers and students. Cassie Horner, a Boise teacher, told the committee the bill would "significantly harm the values of…