Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Following a “contentious” hearing in the House K-12 Education Subcommittee earlier this month, a bill to ban pride flags in public school classrooms was passed in the full House Education Administration Committee this week.
House Bill 1605 (HB1605) is sponsored by Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61), and in its current form the legislation would prohibit Tennessee’s local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools from displaying or permitting their employees or agents to display flags on or in a public school unless it is one of the following:
• The United States Flag
• The Official Tennessee State Flag
• A Flag That Cannot be Disturbed or Altered (TCA Section 4-1-412)
• The POW/MIA Flag
• A Flag Representing an Indian Tribe (25 U.S.C. Section 5304)
• A Flag Representing a City, County, Metropolitan Government, or Other Political Subdivision of the State of Tennessee
• A Flag Representing a Unit, Brand, or Other Division of the Armed Forces Including ROTC Programs
• A Flag Representing a College or University
• A Flag Displayed Temporarily as Part of a Bona Fide Course Curriculum
• An Official School Flag
• The Flag of an Organization Duly Authorized to Use a Public School Building, Displayed Only at the Time and Place Said Organization is Authorized to Use School Property
On February 14th, House Education Chair Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83) addressed committee and audience members prior to discussion of HB1605.
“We are a representative government,” said Rep. White. “We do address things that have to come before us. This bill was a little contentious in subcommittee. In here we will discuss the bill, but we will respect each other’s right to have their own opinion or their own belief.”
When Rep. Bulso took the floor, he explained that before filing HB1605, he had been receiving complaints from parents in his county and other counties who were concerned about the presence of different political flags in their children’s classrooms.
“What this bill does,” he told the committee, “is to define specifically what flags are allowed to be in our public schools. So that parents remain the ones in charge of determining what values their children are going to learn.”
Committee proceedings on HB1605 consisted of almost an hour of back and forth between the bill sponsor, committee members, and legal staff. During which, the committee paused discussion twice at the request of different members.
Three public testimonies in opposition to the bill were also given during this time. One citizen was scheduled to speak in support of it, but decided to pass when it was their turn.
“A pride flag in a classroom is not disruptive, but this law would be,” said one individual. “The only problem that exists are the few parents who don’t want their kids exposed to people that are different than them.”
“This bill was born out of misinformation stemming from bigotry,” said another individual. “Flag flying is a form of speech that this body is trying to legislate.”
In a long discussion on whether or not old iterations of a country’s flag, that are no longer flown, could be displayed in the classroom, Rep. Bulso’s response was that the intent behind HB1605 is that a country’s flag, if displayed in the classroom, would represent the country “at its current time.”
It was stated by legal staff that the legislation would leave specific flags up to interpretation of the courts.
A roll call vote was used in committee at the request of Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92).
HB1605 was ultimately passed out of committee by a 12-4 vote and will soon be scheduled for a vote on the House floor. Chairman White did not cast a vote in committee. The votes fell along party lines with committee Republicans voted for the bill and Democrats voting against.
Aye Votes: Baum, Bulso, Butler, Cepicky, Haston, Hurt, Lafferty, Ragan, Richey, Stevens, Warner, Slater
Nay Votes: Gilespie, Love, McKenzie, Parkinson
The corresponding Senate Bill 1722, sponsored by Sen. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28) is scheduled to be considered in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, February 21st, 2024.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee.
You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
