Bill > HB0302

This bill amends existing law regarding the display of flags on government property in Utah, aiming to establish greater neutrality in government speech. It clarifies definitions for terms like "city," "county," "municipality," and "political subdivision," which refer to local government entities. The bill generally prohibits government entities from displaying flags, with specific exceptions for certain official flags such as the U.S. flag, the Utah state flag, flags of other countries or states, official flags of cities, counties, or political subdivisions, military flags, and the POW/MIA flag. It introduces new provisions allowing cities, municipalities, counties, and political subdivisions to adopt only one official flag and to adopt additional flags for ceremonial purposes, with these adoptions subject to review by a legislative committee. Importantly, the bill restricts the display of any flag, even an "exempt flag" (a flag that is otherwise allowed), in specific government locations like courthouses, public airports, and transit facilities, unless it is the official flag of that specific city, municipality, county, or political subdivision. In other locations, these local entities can display their official flag or other adopted flags. The bill also outlines a process for investigating violations, imposing fines on government entities that fail to correct violations, and provides for judicial review of these fines. Finally, it clarifies that these provisions do not limit student expression rights or an agency's obligation to protect students from discrimination, and it establishes that the state will indemnify individuals acting to enforce the section against certain claims.

Government Affairs

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0302.html