North Carolina 2025 Session Status: Passed House 19 R cosponsors

HB 244 — Depoliticize Government Property Act.

Last action — Regular Message Received From House

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 27, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 58% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 19 sponsors

    3 primary, 16 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (19 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

43 added · 67 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to House Bill 244 mainly clarify the language around which governmental flags can be flown on properties. Lines were added to emphasize that permission is required from either the property owner or someone with lawful control over the property before displaying these flags. This is important because it ensures that property rights are respected, preventing any unauthorized flag displays that could lead to disputes. Overall, these updates aim to make the rules clearer and more respectful of personal property.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 2 HOUSE BILL 244 Committee Substitute Favorable 3/11/25 Short Title:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 244 Short Title:
Representatives Echevarria, N.
Jackson, B.
Jones, and Biggs (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
March 3, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY OFFICIAL GOVERNMENTAL FLAGS MAY BE FLOWN OR DISPLAYED ON PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.
Judiciary 1, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House March 3, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ONLY CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL FLAGS MAY BE FLOWN OR DISPLAYED ON PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY THE STATE OR A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE.
G.S.
144-5 reads as rewritten:
"§ 144-5.
Flags to conform to law;
display and handling of a flag of the United States of America or the State of North Carolina an official governmental flag by State institutions and other political subdivisions of the State.
… (b) A flag of the United States of America or the State of North Carolina An official governmental flag that is displayed by a State institution or a political subdivision of the State on the premises of a building of a State institution or a political subdivision of the State under G.S.
144-7.1 shall be handled, displayed, stored, and respectfullydisposed of in accordance with the federal Flag Code, 4 U.S.C.
§§ 1-10." SECTION 2.
G.S.
144-7 reads as rewritten:
"§ 144-7.
Display of official governmental flags;
public restrictions.
(a) A county, city, consolidated city-county, or unified government shall not prohibit an official governmental flag from being flown or displayed if the official governmental flag is flown or displayed:displayed in accordance with all of the following:
(1) In accordance with the The patriotic customs set forth in 4 U.S.C.
§§ 5-10, as amended;
andamended.
(2) Upon private or public property with the consent of either the owner of the property or of any person having lawful control of the property.
(3) The provisions in G.S.
144-7.1.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, for For the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare, reasonable restrictions on flag size, number of flags, location, and height of flagpoles are not prohibited, provided that such restrictions shall not discriminate against any official governmental flag in any manner.manner and shall comply with G.S.
144-7.1.
(c) For purposes of this section, an "official governmental flag" shall mean any of the following:is as defined in G.S.
144-7.1.
(1) The flag of the United States of America.
(2) The flag of nations recognized by the United States of America.
(3) The flag of the State of North Carolina.
(4) The flag of any state or territory of the United States.
*H244-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) The flag of a political subdivision of any state or territory of the United States." SECTION 3.
(a) Only the following official governmental flags may be flown or displayed by a State institution orapolitical subdivision oftheStateonthepremises ofa buildingof aStateinstitution or a political subdivision of the State:
(a) Onlythe following governmental flags maybe flown or displayed on propertyowned or leased by the State or a political subdivision of the State:
(7) The flag of nations recognized by the United States of America.
(7) The flag of nations recognized by the United States of America during a visit by the nation's head of state or national delegation.
(8) The flag of any state or territory of the United States.
(b) A governmental flag shall be flown or displayed according to the patriotic customs set forth in 4 U.S.C.
(9) The flag of a political subdivision of anystate or territory of the United States.
§§ 5-10, as amended.
(10) The flag of any Indian tribe or Indian group recognized by State or federal law.
For purposes of this section, the term "displayed" means the governmental flag or an image of the governmental flag is placed anywhere on the premises of the property owned or leased by the State or political subdivision of the State, including the walls of a facility, employee breakroom, and sidewalks.
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(b) For purposes of this section, the term "displayed" means the governmental flag or an image of the governmental flag is placed anywhere, including the walls of a facility, employee breakroom, and sidewalks.
(c) Any person violating the provisions of this section, including a second or subsequent violation, shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor." SECTION 2.
(c) Any employee of the State or political subdivision of the State who violates this section is subject to disciplinary action, including termination from employment." SECTION 4.
G.S.
This act becomes effective October 1, 2025, and applies to violations occurring on or after that date.
144-7 reads as rewritten:
Page 2 House Bill 244-Second Edition
"§ 144-7.
Display of official governmental flags;
public restrictions.flags on private property.
(a) A county, city, consolidated city-county, or unified government shall not prohibit an official governmental flag from being flown or displayed if the official governmental flag is flown or displayed:
(1) In accordance with the patriotic customs set forth in 4 U.S.C.
§§ 5-10, as amended;
and *H244-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) Upon private or public property with the consent of either the owner of the property or of any person having lawful control of the property.
…." SECTION 3.
This act is effective when it becomes law.
Page 2 House Bill 244-First Edition
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View plain text versions (4)

How this bill changes current law

9 changes Share ↗

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill restricts flags displayed on state or political subdivision property to only official governmental flags and adds new regulations regarding their display.

  • G.S. 144-5

    A flag of the United States of America or the State of North Carolina → An official governmental flag

    This change clarifies that only official governmental flags can be displayed.

  • G.S. 144-7

    displayed if the official governmental flag is flown or displayed: → displayed in accordance with all of the following:

    This modification adds clarity to the conditions under which governmental flags can be flown.

  • G.S. 144-7

    In accordance with the patriotic customs set forth in 4 U.S.C. §§ 5-10, as amended; → The patriotic customs set forth in 4 U.S.C. §§ 5-10, as amended.

    This change corrects the language for better readability and coherence.

  • G.S. 144-7

    Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section: (i) for the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare, reasonable restrictions on flag size, number of flags, location, and height of flagpoles are not prohibited, provided that such restrictions shall not discriminate against any official governmental flag in any manner; and (ii) with respect to the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of North Carolina, however, enforcement of a restriction as to a particular property shall require evaluation of and written findings of fact to document the public health, safety, and welfare concerns justifying enforcement of the ordinance at that particular property. If a traffic-based justification is asserted concerning such flag on a particular property, a site study conducted by the Department of Transportation shall be performed to evaluate whether traffic concerns will arise with manner or placement of the display of such flag at a particular location, and such flag shall only be prohibited if the Department of Transportation determines traffic concerns would in fact arise. → Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, for For the purpose of protecting the public health, safety, and welfare, reasonable restrictions on flag size, number of flags, location, and height of flagpoles are not prohibited, provided that such restrictions shall not discriminate against any official governmental flag in any manner and shall comply with G.S. 144-7.1.

    This simplifies the language and integrates compliance with the new section on flag display.

  • N/A

    § 144-7.1. Display of official governmental flags on State and local government property.

    This introduces a new section that specifies which flags can be displayed by state institutions and political subdivisions.

  • G.S. 144-7.1

    (1) The flag of the United States of America. (2) The flag of the State of North Carolina. (3) The flag of a county, city, or other governmental agency, school, or other educational facility. (4) The flag of any military branch of the United States of America. (5) The Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag. (6) The Honor and Remember flag. (7) The flag of nations recognized by the United States of America. (8) The flag of any state or territory of the United States. (9) The flag of a political subdivision of any state or territory of the United States. (10) The flag of any Indian tribe or Indian group recognized by State or federal law.

    This establishes a comprehensive list of official governmental flags allowed for display.

  • G.S. 144-7.1

    For purposes of this section, the term 'displayed' means the governmental flag or an image of the governmental flag is placed anywhere, including the walls of a facility, employee breakroom, and sidewalks.

    This defines the term 'displayed' to clarify what constitutes the display of a flag.

  • G.S. 144-7.1

    This section shall not apply to either of the following: (1) A historic display at a museum. (2) A reenactment of a prior war of the United States.

    This adds exclusions to the new flag display regulations.

  • G.S. 144-7.1

    Any employee of the State or political subdivision of the State who violates this section is subject to disciplinary action, including termination from employment.

    This introduces penalties for non-compliance with the new flag display rules.

Action History

  1. Regular Message Received From House

  2. Passed 1st Reading

  3. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  4. Regular Message Sent To Senate

  5. Passed 2nd Reading

  6. Passed 3rd Reading

  7. Reptd Fav Com Sub 2

  8. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  9. Reptd Fav

  10. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  11. Placed On Cal For 04/16/2025

  12. Withdrawn From Com

  13. Re-ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  14. Reptd Fav

  15. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  16. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  17. Re-ref Com On State and Local Government

  18. Passed 1st Reading

  19. Ref to the Com on Judiciary 1, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  20. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 16 co-sponsors · 160 not signed on · 43 voted No

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (16)

Not signed on (160)

160 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 160 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Second Reading

Passed 69 Yea · 44 Nay · 7 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 33803
Unaffiliated 4200
Republican 62204
U 0200
Total 694407
% of votes cast 58%37%0%6%
How each member voted (120)
Member Party Vote
CharlesSmith — Yea
Campbell — Yea
Reeder — Yea
vonHaefen — Nay
C. Smith — Yea
F. Jackson — Nay
Abe Jones Democratic Yea
Aisha O. Dew Democratic Nay
Allen Buansi Democratic Nay
Allison A. Dahle Democratic Nay
Amber M. Baker Democratic Nay
Amos L. Quick, III Democratic Nay
B. Ray Jeffers Democratic Yea
Becky Carney Democratic Nay
Beth Helfrich Democratic Nay
Brandon Lofton Democratic Not Voting
Brian Turner Democratic Nay
Bryan Cohn Democratic Nay
Carolyn G. Logan Democratic Nay
Cecil Brockman Democratic Nay
Cynthia Ball Democratic Nay
Dante Pittman Democratic Yea
Deb Butler Democratic Nay
Eric Ager Democratic Nay
Garland E. Pierce Democratic Nay
Gloristine Brown Democratic Nay
James Roberson Democratic Nay
Jordan Lopez Democratic Nay
Julia Greenfield Democratic Nay
Kanika Brown Democratic Nay
Laura Budd Democratic Nay
Lindsey Prather Democratic Not Voting
Marcia Morey Democratic Nay
Maria Cervania Democratic Nay
Mary Belk Democratic Nay
Mike Colvin Democratic Nay
Monika Johnson-Hostler Democratic Nay
Phil Rubin Democratic Nay
Pricey Harrison Democratic Nay
Renée A. Price Democratic Nay
Robert T. Reives, II Democratic Nay
Rodney D. Pierce Democratic Nay
Sarah Crawford Democratic Nay
Shelly Willingham Democratic Not Voting
Terry M. Brown Jr. Democratic Nay
Tim Longest Democratic Nay
Tracy Clark Democratic Nay
Vernetta Alston Democratic Nay
Ya Liu Democratic Nay
Zack Hawkins Democratic Nay
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. Republican Yea
Allen Chesser Republican Yea
Ben T. Moss, Jr. Republican Not Voting
Bill Ward Republican Yea
Blair Eddins Republican Yea
Brenden H. Jones Republican Yea
Brian Biggs Republican Yea
Brian Echevarria Republican Yea
Celeste C. Cairns Republican Yea
Charles W. Miller Republican Yea
Chris Humphrey Republican Yea
Cody Huneycutt Republican Not Voting
David Willis Republican Yea
Dean Arp Republican Yea
Dennis Riddell Republican Yea
Destin Hall Republican Not Voting
Diane Wheatley Republican Yea
Donna McDowell White Republican Yea
Donnie Loftis Republican Yea
Donny Lambeth Republican Yea
Dudley Greene Republican Yea
Edward C. Goodwin Republican Nay
Erin Paré Republican Yea
Frank Iler Republican Yea
Harry Warren Republican Yea
Heather H. Rhyne Republican Yea
Howard Penny, Jr. Republican Nay
Hugh Blackwell Republican Yea
Jarrod Lowery Republican Yea
Jay Adams Republican Yea
Jeff Zenger Republican Yea
Jeffrey C. McNeely Republican Yea
Jennifer Balkcom Republican Yea
Jerry "Alan" Branson Republican Yea
Jimmy Dixon Republican Yea
John A. Torbett Republican Yea
John M. Blust Republican Yea
John R. Bell, IV Republican Yea
John Sauls Republican Yea
Jonathan L. Almond Republican Yea
Joseph Pike Republican Yea
Julia C. Howard Republican Yea
Karl E. Gillespie Republican Yea
Keith Kidwell Republican Yea
Kelly E. Hastings Republican Yea
Kyle Hall Republican Yea
Larry C. Strickland Republican Yea
Larry W. Potts Republican Yea
Mark Brody Republican Yea
Mark Pless Republican Yea
Matthew Winslow Republican Yea
Mike Clampitt Republican Not Voting
Mike Schietzelt Republican Yea
Mitchell S. Setzer Republican Yea
Neal Jackson Republican Yea
Paul Scott Republican Yea
Phil Shepard Republican Yea
Ray Pickett Republican Yea
Sam Watford Republican Yea
Sarah Stevens Republican Yea
Stephen M. Ross Republican Yea
Steve Tyson Republican Yea
Ted Davis, Jr. Republican Yea
Todd Carver Republican Yea
Todd Johnson Republican Yea
Tricia Ann Cotham Republican Yea
William D. Brisson Republican Yea
Wyatt Gable Republican Yea
Carla D. Cunningham U Nay
Nasif Majeed U Nay

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 244?
HB 244 is sponsored by David Willis (Republican), Bill Ward (Republican), Paul Scott (Republican), Joseph Pike (Republican), Ben T. Moss, Jr. (Republican), Donnie Loftis (Republican), Keith Kidwell (Republican), Frank Iler (Republican), Jimmy Dixon (Republican), Celeste C. Cairns (Republican), Jerry "Alan" Branson (Republican), John M. Blust (Republican), Jonathan L. Almond (Republican), Brian Biggs (Republican), Brenden H. Jones (Republican), Jake Johnson (Republican), Neal Jackson (Republican), Brian Echevarria (Republican), and Mike Clampitt (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 244?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced February 27, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 244?
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