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House Bill 96 would limit flags on government property to national, state, military and official agency flags
Summary
Representative Heather Scott proposed HB 96 to restrict flags displayed on government property to U.S., state, military, POW/MIA and official government or tribal flags; two committee members recorded no votes when committee sent the bill to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.
Representative Heather Scott (District 2) presented House Bill 96, which would limit which flags government entities may display on public property. The draft permits only the U.S. flag, the Idaho state flag, military flags, POW/MIA flags and official flags of governments, including tribal flags, according to the sponsor.
“Government buildings should represent all Idahoans and not be used for political or social movements,” Representative Scott said, describing the bill as meant to maintain neutrality and unity on government property.
Two members of the public testified in support. Lynn Bradescue, who identified herself as the District 19 GOP chair and a Boise resident, told the committee that the First Amendment requires viewpoint neutrality by government and that allowing some flags would legally require permitting all viewpoints, including those many would find offensive. “This creates a situation where messages that promote hate or denigrate religious or cultural group would have to be permitted,” Bradescue said, urging a due pass for HB 96.
Thad Butterworth, identified in the transcript as “80 County Republican Chair,” also testified in favor and said the state central committee had supported a similar resolution; he told the committee that government spaces should be neutral and avoid becoming “battlegrounds for competing viewpoints.”
Representative Scogg moved to send HB 96 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. Committee staff recorded Representatives Shubin and Achilles as voting no on the motion; the chair announced the motion carried and the bill will advance with a due-pass recommendation.
The transcript records no opposition testimony in committee and no amendments on the floor motion; the bill now proceeds to the next stage of the legislative process.
