OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 5949

AN ACT CONCERNING THE COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE FOR FLAGS DISPLAYED ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

SUMMARY:

With one exception, this bill requires that national and state flags purchased after July 1, 2009 and (1) displayed on or in public buildings, on the walls of polling places during election hours, or outside of courthouses or (2) provided by the veterans' affairs commissioner for use on the graves of legislators or statewide officers be manufactured in the United States. “Public buildings” are (1) buildings owned by the state or its political subdivisions, including statehouses, courthouses, town halls, arsenals, magazines, prisons, community correctional centers, almshouses, markets; (2) churches, chapels, meetinghouses, or other buildings generally used for religious worship; and (3) colleges, academies, schoolhouses, or other buildings generally used for literary instruction.

The bill creates an exception for local and regional boards of education if (1) the cost of purchasing U. S. manufactured flags exceeds the cost of purchasing flags manufactured elsewhere and (2) federal, state, and private funds are unavailable to offset the cost. It authorizes these boards to accept donations consisting of U. S. manufactured flags or gifts, grants, and other in-kind contributions designated for the purchase of such flags.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2009

BACKGROUND

Legislative History

The House referred the bill (File 630) to the Appropriations Committee, which added the exception for local and regional boards of education and the authority for these boards to accept donated flags or contributions for their purchase.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Government Administration and Elections Committee

Joint Favorable

Appropriations Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute