Bill
HB 244
The act limits government property displays to a defined list of official flags and images, prohibiting non-governmental flags on state and local premises.
Status / Effective date
- Enacted language (Committee Substitute #2 / Third Edition) directs that the law becomes effective October 1, 2025, and applies to violations occurring on or after that date.
Purpose / intent
- To limit the flags that may be flown or otherwise displayed on property owned or leased by the State or by political subdivisions (counties, cities, state agencies, schools, etc.), with the stated aim of restricting displays on government property to official governmental flags and thereby preventing political or non‑governmental flag displays on such property.
Key provisions and changes
- Authorized flags (only these may be flown or displayed by State institutions or political subdivisions on the premises of a government building):
1. United States flag
2. North Carolina state flag
3. Flags of counties, cities, other governmental agencies, schools, or other educational facilities
4. Flags of any U.S. military branch
5. POW/MIA flag
6. Honor and Remember flag
7. Flags of nations recognized by the U.S. (during an official visit)
8. Flags of any U.S. state or territory
9. Flags of political subdivisions of any U.S. state or territory
10. Flags of Indian tribes or Indian groups recognized by state or federal law
Broad definition of “displayed”: includes the flag itself or an image of the flag placed anywhere on the premises (e.g., walls, employee breakrooms, sidewalks).
Handling and disposition requirement: Official governmental flags displayed by State institutions or political subdivisions must be handled, displayed, stored, and respectfully disposed of in accordance with the federal Flag Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 1–10).
Reasonable restrictions allowed: Government entities may impose reasonable, nondiscriminatory restrictions for public health, safety, and welfare (size, number of flags, location, height of poles), provided they do not single out any official governmental flag.
Exceptions: The restriction does not apply to (1) historic displays at museums and (2) reenactments of prior U.S. wars.
Enforcement and penalties
- Employee discipline: An employee of the State or a political subdivision who violates the section is subject to disciplinary action, including termination. (Earlier drafts contained a criminal penalty — a Class 3 misdemeanor — but the enacted substitute subjects employees to administrative discipline.)
Who is affected
- Directly affects State institutions and political subdivisions (their facilities, grounds, and buildings), and their employees responsible for display decisions.
- Affects what flags (and flag images) may appear on government premises (including internal spaces such as staff rooms).
- Does not restrict private property owners’ rights to display flags on private property (existing protections for private property displays are preserved), and exempts museum historic displays and reenactments.
Practical impact
- Government bodies will need to review and remove any non‑authorized flags or flag imagery from government premises by the effective date.
- Agencies should update flag‑display policies, employee guidance, and compliance/training materials to reflect the new authorized list, the broad definition of “displayed,” and the allowed reasonable restrictions.
- Vendors, contractors, and tenants occupying government property should be informed that only authorized official governmental flags or images may be displayed on the premises.
Legislative notes
- The bill was developed through multiple committee substitutes; the final text consolidates previous versions (which varied on penalties and scope). The law cross‑references the federal Flag Code for treatment of U.S. and state flags.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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