House committee advances bill limiting classroom flags to U.S., state and certain official banners

BOISE — The Idaho House Education Committee voted 12-2 on Jan. 25 to advance House Bill 10, a measure that would limit which flags and banners public schools may display, saying the intent is to emphasize the American and Idaho flags as primary classroom symbols.

Sponsor Rep. Ted Hill, D14, told the committee the bill is meant “to assure that the American flag and the state flag are the primary flags in the public school,” adding that other flags “are a distraction” from unity. The committee voted after nearly two hours of questions from members and testimony from teachers, students and policy advocates on both sides.

Supporters said the bill would restore neutral civic focus in classrooms. Edward Clark, a policy assistant at the Idaho Family Policy Center, told the committee that “by emphasizing the importance of the American flag in schools … this legislation encourages healthy patriotism in children across the state.” Representative Hill argued the bill is not intended to police pins, ties or other personal items: “If they want to wear those pins that's not part of this. They can wear those, that's just fine.”

Opponents said the measure is vague, risks chilling free expression and duplicates existing law. Cassie Horner, a Boise School District teacher, testified in opposition: “Limiting flag displays denies students opportunities to learn about the broader world and reflect on issues that will shape their futures.” Student witness Liliana Rower said similar legislation failed last year because of vague wording and that the bill could restrict student and staff expression in lockers, cars or online classrooms.

Committee members questioned practical details: whether prisoner-of-war and military service flags are allowed, how the measure would apply to online classes and parking lots, and whether there are penalties for violations. Representative Hill said military flags such as the POW flag would be considered under the military flags category and that the bill does not create fines; enforcement would follow regular school-discipline channels: “They shall… the parents come in, tell the principal, and then that's something that needs to be addressed.”

Greg Wilson, chief of staff at the Idaho State Department of Education, told the committee the department “does not have a formal process of recognition” for most banners or flags, but noted two recognized examples: schools designated as Purple Star Schools for supporting military families and recipients of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools program.

Several legislators said current state law already addresses related issues. Representative Church, a current public-school teacher on the committee, cited the Dignity and Non-Discrimination Act (enacted as part of 2021 legislation commonly referred to in testimony as House Bill 377) and said many districts — including West Ada — have adopted local content-neutral display policies that address flags and banners.

The committee considered two motions. Representative Marmon moved to send HB 10 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation. Representative Brzezinski offered a substitute motion to send the bill to General Orders for further work; that substitute motion failed on a 5-9 vote. The committee then approved the original motion to send HB 10 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation by a roll-call vote of 12-2. Representatives Carlson and Church recorded the two no votes.

What HB 10 would do and next steps: The bill text outlined specific categories of permitted flags and banners (the American flag, state flags, military flags and certain achievement banners recognized by schools or the Department of Education), and prohibited display of banners or flags deemed political, ideological or religious in a manner subordinate to the U.S. and state flags. The committee did not create a penalty schedule; sponsors said enforcement would be handled locally by school administrators. The bill now moves to the full House for floor consideration.

Committee and public testimony flagged several unresolved questions that could affect implementation if the bill becomes law: how “school property” applies to parking lots and lockers; how the rules apply to fully online classrooms; and whether the statute’s references to “official” school flags or mascots require clearer definition. Several committee members urged use of existing local policies (for example, West Ada’s content-neutral-school policy) or additional drafting before final passage.

Votes at a glance

- Substitute motion (send to General Orders) — Offered by Rep. Brzezinski. Outcome: failed 5-9. Recorded yes votes included Representatives Wisniewski, Nielsen, Sauter, Carlson and Church; recorded nays included Chairman Pickett, Vice Chair Hawkins, Representative Clow, Representative Marmon and others as recorded by roll call.

- Main motion (send to House floor with due pass) — Moved by Rep. Marmon. Outcome: passed 12-2 (Yeas: a majority of committee members; Nays: Representatives Carlson and Church). The bill now advances to the full House for further action.