HB 901 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0901-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to the display of flags by 2
governmental entities; creating s. 256.045, F.S.; 3
providing a definition; prohibiting certain 4
governmental entities from erecting or displaying 5
certain flags; requiring the governmental entity to 6
remain neutral in certain circumstances; providing 7
applicability; requiring certain governmental entities 8
to display the United States flag in a certain 9
position; providing an effective date. 10
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 12
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Section 1. Section 256.045, Florida Statutes, is created 14
to read: 15
256.045 Display of flags; governmental agencies, local 16
governments, or other units of local government. — 17
(1) For purposes of this section, the term "governmental 18
entity" means a governmental agency, a local government, or 19
another unit of local government and includes public schools, 20
public colleges, and public universities. 21
(2)(a) A governmental entity may not erect or display a 22
flag that represent a political viewpoint, including, but not 23
limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation 24
and gender, or political ideology viewpoint. The governmental 25
HB 901 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0901-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
entity must remain ne utral when representing political 26
viewpoints in displaying or erecting a flag. 27
(b) This subsection does not limit the ability of: 28
1. A private individual to express private speech or 29
viewpoints or exercise rights protected by the First Amendment 30
to the United States Constitution. 31
2. A governmental entity to display or erect a flag 32
required or authorized by general law. 33
(3) A governmental entity that displays the United States 34
flag must display the United States flag in a prominent position 35
that is superior to any other flag that is also displayed. 36
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 37