As we approach Independence Day and prepare to celebrate the values and freedoms of our great nation, it’s a good time for a reminder regarding a new state law affecting flag displays at public institutions.
The Utah State Legislature passed HB 77, Flag Display Amendments in the 2025 General Legislative Session. This legislation provides new guidelines for flags displayed by any unit of state government, including Utah’s institutions of higher education.
The legislation provides that units of state government may only display certain (unaltered) flags on government property. Under the new law, flags for the United States, other countries, state governments and their subdivisions, the university, the Olympic Winter Games, Native American tribes, and veteran or POW recognitions would be allowed.
Government units are generally prohibited from displaying other types of flags, including flags celebrating holidays or cultural events (Juneteenth), flags representing social movements (Pride), and government flags with altered colors and symbols.
Utah Tech University applies the Utah Board of Higher Education Institutional Neutrality and Speech Guidance and designates locations for university expression consistent with that guidance. As individual employee office space is generally not considered a forum for university expression, UT employees may use flags as personal decorations in their offices so long as they are not easily visible from outside of their personal space (e.g., posted in an office window).
This legislation went into effect on May 7 and the State Auditor’s Office will investigate any violations of this law. For future reference, this guidance has been posted on Utah Tech’s compliance webpage.