1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) "Display" means, in regards to a flag, to place a flag in a prominent location on government property where the flag is easily visible.
   2. (b) "Flag" means a usually rectangular piece of fabric with a specific design that symbolizes a location, government entity, or cause.

   3. (c) "Government entity" means:

      1. (i) any local government entity, as defined in Section 63A-5b-901, including a school within the public education system; or
      2. (ii) any state agency, as defined in Section 63A-5b-901.
   4. (d) "Government property" means any property under the ownership or control of a government entity.
   5. (e) "LEA governing board" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53E-1-102.

2. (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), a government entity, or an employee of a school district or school within the public education system acting within the employee's official duties, may not:

   1. (a) display a flag in or on the grounds of government property; or
   2. (b) display an exempt flag described in Subsection (3) with alterations in color, symbols, or appearance.

3. (3) The prohibition described in Subsection (2) does not apply to the following flags:

   1. (a) the official flag of the United States described in Title 4 U.S.C., Ch. 1, The Flag, and Executive Order 1959-10834, and in accordance with Section 53G-7-211;
   2. (b) an official Utah state flag as described in Title 63G, Chapter 1, Part 5, State Flags;
   3. (c) the current and official flag of another country, state, or political subdivision of another country or state;
   4. (d) a flag that represents a city, municipality, county, or political subdivision of the state, as those terms are defined in Sections 10-1-104, 10-2-301, 17-60-101, and 17B-1-102;
   5. (e) a flag that represents a branch, unit, or division of the United States military;
   6. (f) the National League of Families POW/MIA flag as described in 36 U.S.C. Sec. 902;
   7. (g) a flag that represents an Indian tribe as defined in federal law;
   8. (h) an officially licensed flag of a college or university depicting only the colors, logos, and marks consistent with official college or university branding;
   9. (i) a historic version of a flag described in Subsections (3)(a) and (b);
   10. (j) an official public school flag;
   11. (k) an official flag of the United States Olympic Committee, United States Paralympic Committee, International Olympic Committee, or International Paralympic Committee;
   12. (l) an official flag of an olympiad or paralympiad that occurred or will occur within the state; or
   13. (m) a flag of an organization authorized to use a public school facility at the location and during the time in which the organization is authorized to use the public school facility.

4. (4)

   1. (a) The state auditor shall:

      1. (i) establish a process to receive and investigate alleged violations of this section;

      2. (ii) provide notice to the relevant government entity of:

         1. (A) each alleged violation of this section involving the government entity;
         2. (B) each violation that the state auditor determines to be substantiated, including an opportunity to cure the violation not to exceed 30 calendar days;
      3. (iii) if a government entity, other than a school district or a school within the public education system, fails to cure a violation in accordance with Subsection (4)(a)(ii)(B), impose a fine of $500 per violation per day; and
      4. (iv) deposit fines described in Subsection (4)(a)(iii) into the General Fund.
   2. (b) A government entity may seek judicial review of a fine the state auditor imposes under this section to determine whether the imposition of the fine is clearly erroneous.

5. (5) Nothing in this section, for a local education agency, as defined in Section 53E-1-102:

   1. (a) limits the authority of the agency related to student expression under applicable federal or state law; or
   2. (b) removes the agency's obligation to protect all students from discrimination.

6. (6) Regarding a school district or a school within the public education system, the attorney general shall defend and the state shall indemnify and hold harmless a person acting under color of state law to enforce this section for any claims or damages, including court costs and attorney fees, that:

   1. (a) arise as a result of this section; and
   2. (b) are not covered by the person's insurance policies or by any coverage agreement the State Risk Management Fund issues.
7. (7) If any provision of this section or the application of any provision of this section to any person or circumstance is held invalid by a final decision of a court, the remainder of this section shall be given effect without the invalidated provision or application.

Amended by Chapter 17, 2025 Special Session 1