Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits flags other than the state and U.S. flag from being flown outside state and local government buildings, with exceptions, in Wisconsin.

Highlights:

• Prohibits any building owned, leased, or used by a state agency, local governmental unit, or school board from flying or displaying any flag other than the U.S. flag, the flag of the state of Wisconsin, or any flag of a state agency (Sec. 1).

• Exempts the following flags from the prohibition described above (Sec. 1):

• A prisoners of war or missing in action flag, or other flag commemorating the military/veterans;

• A flag of a federally recognized Native American tribe or band for special, occasional, or ceremonial purposes;

• A flag of another state or territory of the U.S. for special, occasional, or ceremonial purposes;

• A flag of a foreign nation for special, occasional, or ceremonial purposes;

• A flag of a foreign nation to identify individuals officially representing that nation;

• A flag of a local governmental unit;

• A recognized flag of a unit of firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, or other first responders;

• A flag of a state that borders Wisconsin, at a shared weighing station at a port of entry;

• A flag displayed for the purpose of safety at a marina, airport, airfield, train, or bus terminal; and

• An official flag of a school or university, or of visiting schools and universities for special, occasional, or ceremonial purposes.

• Specifies that the described exemptions may not apply to any flags representing the following (Sec. 1):

• A political party, issue, or social cause;

• A sexual orientation or gender identity;

• A political, ideological, or religious viewpoint;

• A gang or extremist group designated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation;

• A racial identity; 

• A holiday; or

• A flag showing support or opposition to any of the above.

• Specifies that the prohibitions of this Act do not affect the rights of a federally recognized Native American tribe or band to fly their flags within the boundaries of a reservation (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the prohibitions of this Act do not apply to a state office building that is leased or rented to a private, nongovernmental entity (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text