An act relating to increasing the monetary thresholds for certificates of need

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Angela Arsenault and 13 co-sponsors

Limits flags on government property to U.S., state, entity, military, POW/MIA, tribal, foreign occasions, and Idaho education flags; empowers Veterans Services to set rules.

House message: Governor approved bill on May 13, 2025

Summary — H 96 (Session Law Chapter 274) — Flags; Amend §67‑2303A, Idaho Code

Status
- Enacted and signed by the Governor: April 3, 2025. Effective date: April 3, 2025. (Session Law Chapter 274)
- Introduced: January 30, 2025.

Purpose
- To limit which flags may be displayed on property owned by Idaho “governmental entities” by amending Idaho Code §67‑2303A and to authorize the Division of Veterans Services to adopt flag‑display protocol rules. The bill includes an emergency clause making it effective on approval.

Key provisions
- Amends §67‑2303A (Flags — Proper Protocol).
- Defines “governmental entity” as the state of Idaho or any county, municipality, special district, or other political subdivision or governmental instrumentality of or within the state, expressly excluding schools, colleges, and universities.
- Prohibits a governmental entity from displaying any flag on its property except the following:
- (a) The United States flag;
- (b) The official flag of the governmental entity itself;
- (c) Official flags of any U.S. state;
- (d) Official flags of any U.S. military branches and units;
- (e) The POW/MIA flag (per §67‑2303, Idaho Code);
- (f) Official flags of Indian tribes;
- (g) Official flags of countries other than the United States to commemorate special occasions (added by Senate amendment);
- (h) Official flags of Idaho colleges, universities, and public schools (added by Senate amendment).
- Authorizes the Division of Veterans Services to promulgate rules governing the proper protocol, location, and display of flags on state property.
- Declares an emergency to make the act effective immediately upon signing.

Who is affected
- State agencies and other governmental entities (counties, cities, special districts, and other political subdivisions/instrumentalities) are required to comply with the specified list when displaying flags on their property.
- Schools, colleges, and universities are excluded from the statutory definition of “governmental entity” (but their official flags are nevertheless listed among permitted flags).
- Local governments and public bodies that currently display flags not on the permitted list (e.g., organizational, advocacy, municipal partnership, or other nonlisted flags) would need to remove or refrain from flying them on government property.

Fiscal and implementation notes
- Fiscal note: No fiscal impact to the general fund, other state funds, or local governments; the change sets standards but does not alter major operations. Administrative rulemaking and protocol guidance remain with the Division of Veterans Services.
- Practical impact: Entities may need to change flag display practices and update local protocols to conform to the narrowed list of permitted flags.