IdahoIdaho limits flags displayed on government property
Idaho law limits flags on state and local government property, and the attorney general can ask a court to stop violations and impose penalties.
What it does
Idaho law limits which flags government entities may display on their property. It allows listed government, military, tribal, and other flags, with narrow rules for college flags and street displays.
The attorney general can ask a court to stop a violation and impose a $2,000 daily penalty for each flag. Most entities get written notice and 10 days to fix the problem first.
Argument forWritten notice and time to fix many violations could help government entities avoid a lawsuit or penalty by correcting the display.
Argument againstThe display limits could keep communities from showing some political, religious, or ideological flags on government property.
More detail
The law limits which flags government entities may display on their property. A covered entity is Idaho, a county, municipality, special district, or other state or local government body; schools, colleges, and universities are excluded. Allowed flags include U.S. and government flags, certain state and local flags, military and tribal flags, and some foreign flags displayed for special occasions or historic ties; foreign flags are excluded when the United States is engaged in hostile action. An Idaho college or university may display its official flag only if its policy designates exactly one official flag. Flags, banners, or pennants on government street poles, streetlights, or property along streets and boulevards are allowed only if they are not political, religious, or ideological. The limits do not apply during a temporary parade or assembly on government property. The act took effect upon passage and approval on March 31, 2026.
The attorney general enforces the flag rules and may seek a court order and civil penalties. These enforcement rules apply to government entities covered by the flag requirements. The penalty is $2,000 for each flag for each day it is displayed in violation. Before suing, the attorney general must give written notice and generally allow 10 days to fix the violation. An entity previously advised of a substantially similar violation does not get that chance to fix it. An entity that fixes the violation within 10 days owes no penalty for it. If the attorney general wins, the court must award the attorney general's legal fees. If a violation is not fixed within the 10-day period, or the entity is not entitled to that chance, penalties may be recovered starting on the first day of the violation.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 1Reported Signed by Governor Brad Little on March 31, 2026 Session Law Chapter 260 Effective: 03/31/2026Became Law
- Mar 30Delivered to Governor at 12:31 p.m. on March 30, 2026To Governor
- Mar 30Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to GovernorMinor
- Mar 30Signed by President; returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 30Received from the House enrolled/signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 27Reported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to SenateMajor
- Mar 26Rules Suspended: Ayes 65 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required – PASSED - 59-8-3AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Furniss, Garner, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, McCann, Mendive, Mickelsen, Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Sauter, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Church, Egbert, Gannon, Green, Haws, Mathias, NelsenAbsent – Fuhriman, Galaviz, RubelFloor Sponsor - HillTitle apvd - to enrolMajor
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended: Ayes 65 Nays 0 Abs/Excd 5, read in full as required –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 26Read first time as amended in Senate; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 26Reported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills
- Mar 25Bills as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing
- Mar 25Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
- Mar 25House Concurred in Senate Amendments
- Mar 25Returned from the Senate Amended; Held at Desk
- Mar 24Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote - Read in full as required) – Read third time as amended in the Senate – PASSED - 26-8-1AYES – Adams, Anthon, Bernt, Blaylock, Burtenshaw, Carlson, Cook, Den Hartog, Foreman, Galloway, Grow, Harris, Keyser, Kohl, Lakey, Lenney, Lent, Nichols, Okuniewicz, Ricks, Shippy, Toews, VanOrden, Woodward, Zito, ZuiderveldNAYS – Guthrie, Hart, Rabe, Ruchti, Semmelroth, Taylor, Ward-Engelking, WintrowAbsent and excused – Bjerke(Bjerke)Floor Sponsor - KeyserTitle apvd - to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Vote recorded Rules Suspended (2/3 Vote Read in full as required) – Read third time as amended in the Senate –. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 24Read second time as amended in the Senate, filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 23Read first time as amended in the Senate; Filed for Second Reading
- Mar 23Amendments reported printed
- Mar 20Reported out as amended; filed for first reading
- Mar 20Amendments ordered printed
- Mar 20Placed in the Committee of the Whole
- Mar 18Referred to 14th Order for amendment
- Mar 17Read second time; filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 16Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second readingMinor
- Mar 6Introduced, read first time; referred to: State AffairsMinor
- Mar 6Received from the House passed; filed for first reading
- Mar 5Read third time in full as amended – PASSED - 58-11-1AYES – Alfieri, Barbieri, Beiswenger, Bingham, Boyle, Bruce, Burgoyne, Cannon, Cayler, Cheatum, Cornilles, Crane(12), Crane(13), Dygert, Ehardt, Ehlers, Erickson, Fuhriman, Furniss, Garner, Hall(Stone), Handy, Harris, Hawkins, Healey, Hill, Holtzclaw, Hostetler, Leavitt, Manwaring, Marmon, Mendive, Mickelsen(Athay), Miller, Mitchell, Monks, Palmer, Petzke, Pickett, Pohanka, Price, Rasor, Raybould, Raymond, Redman, Scott, Shepherd, Shirts, Skaug, Tanner(13), Tanner(14), Thompson, Vander Woude, Veile, Weber, Wheeler, Wisniewski, Mr. SpeakerNAYS – Berch, Church, Egbert, Galaviz, Gannon, Haws, Mathias, McCann, Nelsen, Rubel, SauterAbsent – GreenFloor Sponsor - HillTitle apvd - to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Vote recorded Read third time in full as amended –. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4U.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
- Mar 3Read second time as amended; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 2Read first time as amended; filed for Second Reading
- Mar 2Reported Engrossed; Filed for First Reading of Engrossed Bills
- Feb 27Bill as Amended Referred to JRA for Engrossing
- Feb 27Amendments Referred to the JRA for Printing
- Feb 27Reported out without recommendation as amended
- Feb 27Referred to the Committee of the Whole
- Feb 12Read Third Time in Full – U.C. to be placed on General Orders, no objection
- Feb 11Read second time; Filed for Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 10Reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second ReadingMinor
- Jan 30Reported Printed and Referred to State Affairs
- Jan 29Introduced, read first time, referred to JRA for PrintingIntroduced
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