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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
flags; public property; prohibition
Purpose
Limits flags that may be displayed on public property by a person who is elected, appointed or employed by the state or a political subdivision of the state.
Background
The Federal Flag Code outlines the acceptable manner for display of the American flag. No other flag may fly above the American flag, and the American flag should be displayed only during the hours between sunrise and sunset, unless properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. The Arizona flag, and the Prisoner of War or Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag must be displayed alongside the American flag on or in front of the State Capitol building along with other state, county and municipal buildings (4 U.S.C. Chapter 1; A.R.S. ยงยง 38-449 and 41-852).
On January 20, 2025, the U.S. State Department implemented the One Flag Policy which restricts the display of flags at U.S. facilities to only the American flag, Wrongful Detainees flag and the POW/MIA flag.
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Restricts the flags that may be displayed on public property in Arizona to only:
a) the American flag or an official replica of a flag of the Uniformed Services of the United States if the American flag or a Uniformed Services flag is displayed in a manner consistent with the Federal Flag Code;
b) the POW/MIA flag;
c) the Honor and Remember flag;
d) the Arizona state flag;
e) an Arizona Indian Nations flag;
f) a First Responder flag or a First Responder flag that incorporates the design of one or two other First Responder flags to form a combined flag;
g) a Blue Star Service flag or a Gold Star Service flag;
h) any historic version of the American flag; or
i) any official flag of a public body or a public educational institution.
2. Applies the restriction on the display of a flag on public property only to an individual who is elected, appointed or employed by a public body or a public educational institution while engaged in an official capacity.
3. Stipulates that the restriction on the display of a flag on public property does not prohibit any approved educational curricula or deny the civil and political liberties of any person as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and the Arizona Constitution.
4. Defines public body and public educational institution.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
GOV 1/22/25 DPA 4-3-0-0
3rd Read 2/11/25 34-24-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 3, 2025
AN/DL/slp