DEPOLITICIZE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY ACT.

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View NCGA Bill Details2025-2026 Session
House Bill 244 (Public) Filed Thursday, February 27, 2025
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY OFFICIAL GOVERNMENTAL FLAGS MAY BE FLOWN OR DISPLAYED ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.
Intro. by Echevarria, N. Jackson, B. Jones, Biggs.
Status: Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Mar 25 2025)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

Submitted by jhenders@sog.unc.edu on

Committee substitute to the 1st edition changed the long title. Original long title was AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL FLAGS MAY BE FLOWN OR DISPLAYED ON PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY THE STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.

Bill History:

H 244

Bill Summaries:

  • Bill H 244 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Mar 11 2025 - View Summary

    House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.  Makes conforming changes, including to the act’s long title.

    Expands the flags considered official government flags under new GS 144-7.1 to now include:

    • The flag of any state or territory of the United States.
    • The flag of a political subdivision of any state or territory of the United States.
    • The flag of any Indian tribe or Indian group recognized by State or federal law.

    Removes requirement that flying or displaying a flag of a nation recognized by the United States of America only occur during a visit by the nation’s head of state or national delegation. Removes references to the government property being owned or leased by the State or political subdivision thereof. Removes Class 3 misdemeanor penalty for second or subsequent violations of GS 144-7.1. Makes clarifying changes. Makes conforming changes to GS 144-5 (display and handling of flags) so that all official flags (currently, a flag of the United States or the State flag) under new GS 144-7.1 must be handled, displayed, stored, and disposed of properly. Requires local governments to comply with GS 144-7.1 as part of their obligations pertaining to display of official government flags under GS 144-7. Makes conforming and technical changes.

    Changes the effective date to October 1, 2025 (was, when act became law). 

    Government, State Government, State Property, Local Government
    GS 144
  • Bill H 244 (2025-2026)
    Summary date: Feb 27 2025 - View Summary

    Adds new GS 144-7.1, limiting the display of governmental flags on property owned or leased by the State or a political subdivision of the state to seven listed flags, including the American flag, the State flag, a local government flag, the POW/MIA flag, the flag of any military branch of the US Armed Forces, and the flag of nations recognized by the United States of America during a visit by the nation’s head of state or national delegation. Requires the flag to be displayed (defined) in accordance with patriotic customs set forth in federal law.  Makes violation of the above, including a second or subsequent violation, a Class 3 misdemeanor.  Makes conforming changes to GS 144-7 (concerning local government regulation of the display of official government flags on private property), including to the statute's title.

    Government, State Government, State Property, Local Government
    GS 144
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