Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance
committees of the Legislature. LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they
are used for other purposes.
F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T
SPONSOR Murphy/Dow
LAST UPDATED
ORIGINAL DATE 2/21/2025
SHORT TITLE Retiring of State Flags
BILL
NUMBER House Bill 468
ANALYST Hanika-Ortiz
ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL OPERATING BUDGET IMPACT*
(dollars in thousands)
Agency/Program
FY25 FY26 FY27
3 Year
Total Cost
Recurring or
Nonrecurring
Fund
Affected
No fiscal
impact
No fiscal
impact
No fiscal
impact
Parentheses ( ) indicate expenditure decreases.
*Amounts reflect most recent analysis of this legislation.
Sources of Information
LFC Files
Agency Analysis was Solicited but Not Received From
Department of Military Affairs (DMA) General Services Department (GSD)
SUMMARY
Synopsis of House Bill 468
House Bill 468 (HB468) enacts the manner in which a New Mexico state flag is retired.
If no longer used or useful, the flag may be destroyed in a dignified manner in a public ceremony
under the direction of military service personnel, a patriotic society, or a private ceremony.
This bill does not contain an effective date and, as a result, would go into effect 90 days after the
Legislature adjourns if enacted, or June 20, 2025.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
This bill does not have a fiscal impact.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
The U.S. Flag Code (Title 4, Chapter 1) provides guidelines on the disposal of the American flag
if worn, torn, or no longer suitable for display. Generally, states follow those guidelines.
Veteran and scouting groups have been known to conduct flag retirement ceremonies. House Bill 468 – Page 2
ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS
GSD is responsible for retiring state flags for state-owned buildings, with some exceptions.
AHO/hj/SL2