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HB45 • 2026

DISPLAY OF U.S. FLAG

An Act relating to the display of flags by governmental entities; and providing for an effective date.

Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
REPRESENTATIVES ALLARD, Rauscher, McCabe
Last action
2026-03-27
Official status
(H) CRA
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included provisions about military members using force, which are not directly supported by the provided official source material.

Displaying U.S. and Alaska Flags by Government

This act requires governmental entities to display the United States and Alaska flags daily in certain locations and sets rules for their placement.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires government buildings and schools to fly both the U.S. flag and the state of Alaska flag every day when weather allows.
  • States that if a government entity flies any flag, it must place the U.S. flag in a more prominent position than other flags.
  • Prohibits governmental entities from displaying flags that represent political viewpoints or ideologies related to race, sexual orientation, gender, or politics.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Governmental entities such as state agencies, local governments, public schools, and universities.

Terms To Know

governmental entity
A term used in the bill that includes state agencies, local governments, public schools, and universities.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The act does not specify penalties for non-compliance with flag display requirements.
  • It is unclear how enforcement of these rules will be carried out by governmental entities.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-27 1978

    (H) COSPONSOR(S): MCCABE

  2. 2025-02-14 189

    (H) COSPONSOR(S): RAUSCHER

  3. 2025-01-22 42

    (H) REFERRED TO COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS

  4. 2025-01-22 42

    (H) CRA, JUD

  5. 2025-01-22 42

    (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  6. 2025-01-22 42

    (H) PREFILE RELEASED 1/17/25

Official Summary Text

DISPLAY OF U.S. FLAG
An Act relating to the display of flags by governmental entities; and providing for an effective date.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB0045a -1- HB 45
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

34-LS0311\I

HOUSE BILL NO. 45

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION

BY REPRESENTATIVES ALLARD, Rauscher, McCabe

Introduced: 1/22/25
Referred: Community and Regional Affairs, Judiciary

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act relating to the display of flags by governmental entities; and providing for an 1
effective date." 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 3
* Section 1. AS 44.09.030(b) is amended to read: 4
(b) The flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Alaska shall be 5
displayed daily, weather permitting, [IN THE FOLLOWING PLACES: 6
(1)] on or near the main administration building of every institution 7
under the authority or control of the state government and [; 8
(2)] in or near every schoolhouse during school days. A governmental 9
entity that displays the flag of the United States must display the flag in a 10
prominent position that is higher than any other flag displayed. 11
* Sec. 2. AS 44.09.030 is amended by adding new subsections to read: 12
(f) A governmental entity may not erect or display a flag that represents a 13
political viewpoint, including a viewpoint concerning race, sexual orientation, gender, 14
34-LS0311\I
HB 45 -2- HB0045a
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

or a politically partisan or political ideology. This subsection does not limit the ability 1
of a private individual to express private speech or viewpoints or exercise the 2
individual's right to freedom of speech protected by the First Amendment to the 3
Constitution of the United States or the ability of a governmental entity to display or 4
erect a flag required or authorized by law. 5
(g) Except when directly ordered not to use force by a peace officer acting 6
within the scope and authority of the peace officer's employment, an active or retired 7
member of the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard may use 8
reasonable force to prevent the desecration, destruction, or removal of the United 9
States flag or to replace the United States flag to a prominent position consistent with 10
(b) of this section and is immune from civil or criminal liability for that use of 11
reasonable force. 12
(h) In this section, "governmental entity" means a governmental agency, local 13
government or unit of local government, public school, or public college or university. 14
* Sec. 3. This Act takes effect July 1, 2025. 15