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HB 1412 · 2026 · House · Education Policy and Administration Committee

Flag display requirements in schools

AI-generated

relative to the display of flags in schools and compliance with the federal flag code.

Establishes requirements for displaying flags in public schools, charter schools, and academies, permits certain private schools to opt out, and authorizes school boards to accept donations for flags.AI-generated

Status

Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · March 5, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✕House
  3. Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill adds requirements for the display of flags in schools and adds public charter schools as well as public academies to the statute. The bill also permits certain private schools to opt out of said requirements and authorizes local school boards to accept monetary donations for the purpose of acquiring flags and related appliances.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“They shall prescribe rules and regulations for the proper custody, care and display of these flags, including compliance with RSA 3-E:2; the regulations shall require that wherever possible, the United States flag and the New Hampshire state flag shall be displayed on separate staffs of equal height.”
RSA 189:17
“When the flags are displayed on the same staff, the United States flag shall be displayed above the New Hampshire flag.”
RSA 189:17
“The regulations shall further require that such flags shall be displayed prominently outside of the [schoolhouse] school building.”
RSA 189:17
“When they are otherwise displayed, the flags shall be placed conspicuously in the principal room of assembly of the [schoolhouse] school building.”
RSA 189:17

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Timothy HorriganDPrime

Rep. Dale SwansonD, Rep. Wayne BurtonD

Public testimony

51 signed in online · 5 wrote testimony

75% support25% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“I support this bill because I think it is reasonable policy to include all types of public schools.”
— Shirley Montgomery, Hanoversupports
“Let all flags in school. This is being used to exclude people and hurts children. Shameful.”
— Anne Marie Chesno, Brentwoodopposes
“This is an unnecessary bill in a waste of our public school and charter schools time and money. I strongly oppose this bill.”
— Michelle Moge, Derryopposes
“I don’t understand why anyone in the legislature feels that it is necessary to micro-manage our schools in this way. I oppose this bill.”
— Regan Lamphier, Nashuaopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate14–2
    Overall
    88% yea
  • Mar 5, 2026HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingHouse Education Policy and Administration3:08:56–3:27:0518m 9slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Mar 5, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Education Policy and Administration HJ 1 P. 19
  2. Jan 28, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/28/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 01:00 pm GP 232
  4. Feb 18, 2026House: Inexpedient to Legislate 02/18/2026 (Vote 14-2; CC) HC 9 P. 11
  5. Mar 5, 2026HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 03/05/2026 HJ 6 P. 12

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.