- Utah lawmakers advance HB302 allowing alternate flags at city halls but not schools or airports.
- GOP lawmakers acknowledged Salt Lake City's "creative" efforts to sidestep last year's flag ban.
- Critics said the bill still doesn't give enough space for local control.
SALT LAKE CITY — When a new Utah law took effect banning cities from flying all but a few official flags, Salt Lake City leaders responded by adopting three new official flags with Juneteenth, Progress Pride and transgender themes, allowing the city to continue flying Pride and other flags during annual celebrations.
Nearly a year later, even some of the Republican lawmakers who voted to restrict which flags can fly on city buildings can't help but hand it to the city.
"I thought it was very creative what Salt Lake City did," said Rep. Doug Welton, R-Payson. "Not that it was good or bad, or not something that I would fly, but I have to give some kudos to the creativity."
"Man, they are creative," added Rep. Mike Petersen, R-North Logan. "That was awesome. I didn't necessarily love it, but it was awesome."
The comments came Friday afternoon as the House Government Operations Committee debated HB302, a follow-up to last year's flag law that limits cities to fly only one official flag in schools, airports, transit facilities and courthouses. It allows other secondary flags — like those adopted by Salt Lake City — to be flown on other city buildings.
"This change would allow Salt Lake City to continue to fly whatever flag they like at City Hall," said sponsor Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City, while maintaining neutrality in those other locations.
He said his bill aims to put an end to fights over which flags can be flown in city buildings. He argued transit facilities, courts and schools should remain more neutral, especially because many travelers to Utah fly in through the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Several other Republican lawmakers supported the change in direction, and some spoke to concerns that last year's bill was seen by many as a restriction on local control.
"At some point, too, we have to allow local elected officials to live with their choices," said House Majority Whip Candice Pierucci, R-Riverton. "If a city wants to defend to their constituents that flying a Pride flag year round is how they're going to roll ... I think at some point we have to let them own that."
Marina Lowe, with Equality Utah, said the LGBTQ+ rights organization appreciates that HB302 would generally allow individuals to express themselves by flying flags but said she was concerned about a provision that would let a legislative committee review the flags adopted by city governments.
"We have appreciated engaging with Rep. MacPherson and will continue to do so as this bill progresses," she said. "And we appreciate that Salt Lake City will have the ability to fly the Pride flag during ... Pride celebrations that happen every year, and so we're grateful for that."
Rep. Sahara Hayes, D-Millcreek, ultimately voted against the bill, citing the state's ability to review city flags, but thanked MacPherson for how he approached an issue that is often divisive on Capitol Hill.
"I think this bill has a measure of grace to it that we don't often see in bills that sort of touch these sore points, and I'm sincerely appreciative of that," she said. "I think a lot of us were a little nervous when we saw that there was another flag bill. We talk a lot as a body about local control, and I feel like sometimes that that's just lip service."
HB302 ultimately passed 8-3 on party lines and now heads to the House for consideration. The legislative session ends March 6.
