Idaho bill that allows fines for flying Pride flags passes Senate
Pride flag (Getty)
On Tuesday (24 March), the Idaho Senate passed House Bill 561, a piece of legislation which would allow the state to fine Idaho cities thousands of dollars for flying disallowed banners and flags – including the Pride flag.
The bill is now headed back to the House, where it was previously passed on 5 March, before going to Republican Gov. Brad Little’s desk.
Based on a 2025 law that restricted which flags were allowed and not allowed to be displayed on government property, HB 561 would fine offending buildings $2,000 per flag, per day.
The legislation would also allow the Idaho attorney general to enforce the violations.
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When the 2025 restriction was passed, Boise officials implemented a workaround to the restrictive law by designating the Pride flag as an official city flag.
The Idaho Capital Sun reports that HB 561 is designed to close that loophole by specifically clarifying which flags are allowed to be displayed on public property.
The bill would restrict which flags could be raised on government property, or “land owned and maintained by the governmental entity, including buildings, adjoining land, parks, roads and boulevards”.
Flags permitted include the US flag, as well as state, city or country flags, or flags of recognised Native American tribes, among a few others.
Other flags which “are not political, religious, or ideological in nature” may also be displayed in some instances.
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador would be able to file lawsuits to stop cities flying certain flags, seeking civil court fines. However he must first warn the local government of the alleged violation and give up to 10 days to “cure” the problem.
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