TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State House Republican Reps. David Borrero and Berny Jacques recently filed a bill to prohibit the display of flags on government and public school property that portray political, racial, or LGBTQ imagery.
House Bill 75 would ban governmental agencies, local governments, or other units of local governments from flying such flags. The bill also applies to public schools, colleges, and universities.
“A governmental entity may not erect or display a flag that represents a political viewpoint, including, but not limited to, a politically partisan, racial, sexual orientation and gender, or political ideology viewpoint. The governmental entity must remain neutral when political viewpoints in displaying or erecting a flag,” the bill said.
HB 75 specifies that flags erected on governmental property must remain “neutral.” However, the legislation does not apply to private property or individuals expressing free speech rights under the First Amendment.
According to the bill, only the United States flag should be displayed on government entities. It also notes the U.S. flag should fly in a “prominent position that is superior to any other flag that is also displayed.”
The legislation also would permit active or retired United States Armed Forces or National Guard members to use “reasonable force” to prevent the U.S. flag’s desecration, destruction, or removal unless ordered not to do so by law enforcement.
Republican State Senator Randy Fine also filed an identical bill this session.
Borrero has attempted similar legislation on this topic in the past. HB 901, also sponsored by Fine, was filed but failed in committee during the 2024 legislative session.
A Senate version filed by Sen. Jonathan Martin also failed.
Another similar bill, HB 1011, was filed by Borrero in 2023 before dying in committee. A Senate version filed by Sen. Jay Collins also failed.
If passed, HB 75 would take effect on July 1.