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Representative Scott introduces bill to limit which flags may be displayed in government offices; committee approves introduction with edits
Summary
Representative Heather Scott introduced RS31956 to limit flags displayed by government entities; the committee voted to introduce the resolution with edits excluding schools and changing the effective date to "upon passage and approval."
Representative Heather Scott (District 2) introduced RS31956 on Jan. 21, a proposed legislative resolution that would restrict which flags state and local government entities may display in government offices.
"What this legislation would do is it would allow governments to only display certain types of flags," Scott said. She told the committee the bill, as drafted, defines "government entity" to include the state, counties, municipalities, special districts and other political subdivisions, and lists permitted flags as the United States flag, official government flags, official state flags, official military branch and unit flags, and the POW/MIA flag as defined in the cited code provision.
Committee members asked questions about scope and timing. Scott proposed edits to exclude "schools, colleges, or universities" from the rule and to change the effective date to take effect "upon passage and approval" rather than a future date listed in the draft. Representative Boyle advised that the standard phrasing for an immediate effective date is "upon passage and approval." When Representative Boyle moved the amendment to introduce RS31956 with those edits, the committee voted by voice and the chair declared the motion carried.
Committee discussion also touched on why the draft permits flags of other states. Scott said officials sometimes host or honor visitors from other states and that is the reason for including other-state flags in the draft language.
The committee did not take final action on the substance of the resolution; it approved only introduction of the edited RS31956 for further consideration in the legislative process.
