Bill to limit which types of flags can be flown on government properties advances

A bill to limit the kinds of flags a government entity can use on its property is moving forward to the floor of the Idaho House of Representatives.  

On Wednesday, the Idaho House State Affairs Committee held a hearing on House Bill 96, sponsored by Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard. According to the bill, municipalities, counties, special districts or any other political subdivisions or “governmental instrumentalities” would be limited from using bills that are not:  

The U.S. flag

The official flag of a governmental entity 

Official flags of any state in the U.S. 

Official flags of any military branches and units of the U.S.

The POW/MIA flag

Official flags of Native American tribes

The committee voted to advance the bill to the floor with a recommendation that it pass. The committee’s two Democrats, Rep. Todd Achilles, D-Boise, and a substitute for Rep. Brooke Green, D-Boise, voted against the motion. The House may vote on it in the coming days or weeks of the legislative session.