A new bill filed by State Rep. Jones in the North Carolina House seeks to regulate the types of flags displayed on state and local government property to ensure compliance with federal patriotic customs, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 244 on Feb. 27 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Depoliticize Government Property Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill amends Chapter 144 of the North Carolina General Statutes to restrict the types of flags that can be displayed on property owned or leased by the state or any of its political subdivisions. Only specific governmental flags, such as the U.S. flag, the North Carolina state flag, flags of local governments, U.S. military branches, the POW/MIA flag, the Honor and Remember flag, and flags of nations recognized by the U.S. during official visits, are permitted. Flags must be displayed according to patriotic customs outlined in federal law. Violations of these provisions are classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor. The bill also clarifies that no local government can prohibit these official flags from being displayed in accordance with federal customs on private or public property, with the owner’s consent. The act becomes effective when it becomes law.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Brian Biggs and Neal Jackson proposed the most bills (12) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Jones, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 46th House district, replacing previous state representative Ken Waddell.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brenden H. Jones, Brian Biggs, Brian Echevarria, and Neal Jackson | HB 244 | 02/27/2025 | Depoliticize Government Property Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Allen Chesser, Bill Ward, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 224 | 02/26/2025 | Strengthen Our Tribal Communities Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Carson Smith, and Jake Johnson | HB 218 | 02/25/2025 | Emergency Info on DMV Applications. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 220 | 02/25/2025 | Tabor City/Certain Public Enterprise Funds. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 221 | 02/25/2025 | Tabor City/Railroad Revitalization Project. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Jake Johnson, Jarrod Lowery, and Matthew Winslow | HB 222 | 02/25/2025 | C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Blair Eddins, Jarrod Lowery, and Neal Jackson | HB 171 | 02/21/2025 | Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 116 | 02/12/2025 | Local Bd. of Ed. Election Changes. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Allen Chesser, Heather H. Rhyne, and Jay Adams | HB 35 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Military Appreciation Month. |
