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Committee amends HB1332 to allow governor discretion to display Gold Star flag; bill passes 10-0
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Summary
The Legislative Administration committee adopted a consolidated amendment to House Bill 13-32 that makes display of the Gold Star flag optional for the governor, limits flags on State House grounds to those officially recognized by federal law or order, and authorizes display at the State Veterans Cemetery; the measure passed on a 10-0 roll call and will be placed on consent.
The Legislative Administration committee on Monday voted unanimously to adopt a consolidated amendment to House Bill 13-32 and to recommend the bill 'ought to pass as amended.' The amendment changes mandatory language so the governor "may choose to honor the Gold Star families by ordering the Gold Star flag to be displayed on the grounds of the New Hampshire State House and at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in [the specified] paragraph," and clarifies which flags may be displayed.
Committee members said the change was intended to soften an earlier mandate and to limit the flags that could be flown on state grounds to those "officially recognized by the United States federal government," defined in the amendment by federal law, executive order or official agency regulation. "Only those flags officially recognized by the United States federal government shall be flown on state house grounds," the amendment text states.
Representative Nader, who sponsored the combined amendment, told the committee the language balances recognition for Gold Star families with practical concerns about which flags should be displayed on the dome and across state property. "It gives the governor the option of displaying the Gold Star flag if she wishes," Nader said during discussion.
Other members raised operational and ceremonial concerns about adding flags to the State House dome and noted alternatives such as using a lower, more public-facing flagpole or holding ceremonies where the public can see and engage. Representative Ball said flags placed near the public, rather than on the dome, can facilitate education and community events.
The committee recorded a 10-0 vote in favor of the consolidated amendment (amendment 20260896H) and then voted 10-0 for the bill as amended. Clerk roll calls were held for both votes and recorded unanimously. The committee placed the bill on consent for floor action.
Next steps: the bill will proceed as placed on consent unless modified later in the legislative process. The committee chair noted the last day to act on House bills before crossover is March 5.
