Missouri public buildings would limit which flags they display

Public buildings and their government employees would be allowed to display only the flags listed in the bill. A public building is one owned or operated by the state or a local government, including a city, county, or school district. The list includes official national, state, local, military, tribal, school, and Olympic or Paralympic flags, along with historic versions of listed flags. An organization's flag is allowed only at a public school facility, and only where and while the organization is authorized to use it. The rule would not apply to lawful visitors who are not employees of the government entity operating the building.

The state auditor would investigate alleged violations and notify the government entity; unresolved violations could lead to a court order to remove a flag. These steps apply to a government entity accused of violating the flag display rules. For a violation the auditor finds substantiated, the government entity would get an opportunity to fix it within no more than three calendar days. If the entity does not fix the violation in time, the bill directs the prosecuting attorney to file for an injunction, a court order requiring action. If a court orders a flag removed and the entity does not remove it within three days, the auditor may notify local law enforcement, which must remove it upon receiving the court order. The court would hold a trial within seven days and decide within two days after the trial ends.