Democrat Rep. Andrew Stoddard introduces bill to limit flag restrictions to schools, eliminate daily fines
A Utah legislator is working to scale back a controversial law that banned most flags from government buildings, a measure that LGBTQ advocates say was designed to target Pride flags and other symbols of inclusion.
Rep. Andrew Stoddard (D-Midvale/Murray) has introduced HB 81, the Flag Display Modifications bill, which would restrict the flag ban to schools only and remove it from other governmental buildings. The legislation would also eliminate the $500-per-day, per-violation fine that currently applies under the existing law.
The original legislation, HB 77, was sponsored by Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton) and passed during last year’s legislative session under contentious circumstances. Initially focused on schools, the bill was dramatically expanded just one day before its first committee hearing to include all state government buildings.
After appearing to stall in the Senate, HB 77 was rushed through under suspension of the rules in a vote on the second-to-final day of the legislative session. The bill became law without Governor Spencer Cox’s signature, allowing it to take effect while the governor avoided taking a public position on the controversial measure.
Under the current law, only a limited number of flags may be displayed in schools and government buildings, including the U.S. flag, the Utah state flag, and the flags of sovereign nations. The restrictions effectively prohibit Pride flags, Black Lives Matter flags, and other symbols that many communities use to signal support for marginalized groups.
LGBTQ advocates have criticized the law as discriminatory, arguing that it prevents schools and government offices from creating welcoming environments for LGBTQ students, employees, and community members. The hefty daily fines have created additional concerns about enforcement and the potential financial burden on institutions.
Stoddard’s HB 81 represents an attempt to find a middle ground by maintaining restrictions in school environments while allowing other government buildings more flexibility in their flag displays. The removal of the daily fine structure would also reduce the law’s punitive nature.
The bill’s prospects in the Republican-controlled legislature remain uncertain. Utah has seen increasing tension in recent years over LGBTQ issues, with lawmakers advancing multiple bills affecting transgender youth and LGBTQ rights.
