Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB819: Revise laws relating to flag displays in and on state buildings and grounds
Status: Signed into law, May 19, 2025
What the bill says
An act revising laws related to the display of flags and banners in or on government property, state buildings and grounds, public schools, and other government-owned facilities; providing legislative findings; providing definitions; providing restrictions; providing exceptions; and providing an immediate effective date.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO THE DISPLAY OF FLAGS AND BANNERS IN OR ON GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, STATE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT-OWNED FACILITIES; PROVIDING LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING RESTRICTIONS; PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. Section 1. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that: (1) Government property, including state buildings and grounds, public schools, and other government-owned facilities, should serve neutral governmental functions and not be used to promote political or ideological advocacy. (2) The United States flag and other officially recognized governmental flags represent the collective identity, heritage, and sovereignty of the nation, state, and local entities and should be the primary symbols displayed on government property. (3) Allowing nongovernmental or politically charged symbols on state property creates inconsistency in enforcement, legal challenges, and public divisiveness, undermining the neutrality and inclusivity of government spaces. (4) Flags honoring law enforcement officers, military service members, and public service organizations provide appropriate, nonpolitical recognition of their contributions to public safety and national defense. (5) [Sections 1 through 3] do not infringe on private speech or individual expression, as they apply solely to government-controlled displays, ensuring personal freedoms remain intact while maintaining a neutral public environment. - 1 - Authorized Print Version - HB 819 ENROLLED BILL **** 69th Legislature 2025 HB 819 Section 2. Definitions. For …
Sponsors
- Mitchell, Braxton (R, 5) · primary sponsor
- Vance, Shelley (R, 34)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (H) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 22, 2025): 32 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 18, 2025): 29 yea, 15 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 7, 2025): 57 yea, 42 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 57 yea, 41 nay, passed
Subjects: State Government
Common questions
- What is HB819?
- HB819 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise laws relating to flag displays in and on state buildings and grounds.
- What does HB819 do?
- In its own words: An act revising laws related to the display of flags and banners in or on government property, state buildings and grounds, public schools, and other government-owned facilities; providing legislative findings; providing definitions; providing restrictions; providing exceptions; and providing an immediate effective date.
- What is the status of HB819?
- Signed into law as of May 19, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 19, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB819?
- Mitchell, Braxton (R, 5), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB819?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4289
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.