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Committee sends bill to floor limiting flags on government property; supporters cite neutrality, critics recorded two no votes
Summary
House Bill 96, sponsored by Representative Heather Scott, would limit flags displayed on government property to U.S., state, military, POW/MIA and official government flags; the committee voted to send the bill to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation, with Representatives Shubin and Achilles recorded as voting no.
Representative Heather Scott (R.-District 2) introduced House Bill 96 to the House State Affairs Committee, saying the bill would ensure government entities display only certain official flags on government property. “What House Bill 96 does is it ensures that government entities in Idaho only display certain official flags on government property,” Scott said. She listed the flags the bill would allow as the U.S. flag, state flags, military flags, POW/MIA flags and “the official flags of the Government itself.”
Scott told the committee the bill is intended to keep government buildings neutral and “not be used for political or social movements.” She said private individuals and organizations would remain free to display any flags on private property.
Two witnesses testified in support. Lynn Bradescue (District 19 GOP chair) said the First Amendment prevents the government from favoring viewpoints and that allowing selective flag displays would force governments to accept all viewpoints, including offensive ones. “If we open the door to flag displays for one cause we must legally allow all viewpoints,” Bradescue said. Thad Butterworth (transcript identifies him as “80 County Republican Chair”) also testified in favor, saying state central committee members supported similar language and that public buildings should remain neutral.
Following testimony the committee considered the bill. Representative Scogg moved to send House Bill 96 to the House with a due-pass recommendation; the motion carried. The committee recorded Representative Shubin and Representative Achilles as voting no.
Ending
House Bill 96 was sent to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee did not record further public-opposition witnesses in the hearing; the measure will next be scheduled for floor consideration.
