NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A bill, SB 1722, restricting most flags from being displayed at schools failed in the Senate on Tuesday, after it passed in the House of Representatives in February.
The Senate adopted two amendments during its session on Tuesday. One amendment effectively reverted the bill back to an earlier version, which only allowed the U.S. flag and the Tennessee flag to be displayed in a school. Its sponsor, Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R - Chattanooga) said it was meant to make sure the legislature did not appear to favor political sides.
The amended Senate bill did not receive a constitutional majority in a 13-6 vote and failed.
Sen. Heidi Campbell (D - Nashville) asked why it was needed, and Sen. Joey Hensley R - Hohenwald) said some of his constituents said there were flags in schools that did not follow their values, and they were worried about their children being indoctrinated. He said the bill was aimed at making sure all children felt loved and valued in school.
Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R - Oak Ridge) was one of the lawmakers who voted against the bill. The bill is headed back to the Senate Calendar Committee, McNally said during Tuesday's session.
Opponents of the bill said it was aimed at keeping Pride, Progress and other LGBTQ+ flags from flying at schools. The House version of the bill only allows a specific list of flags to be displayed in schools, and some lawmakers said they were concerned it could allow the Confederate flag and Nazi flag to be displayed since they were considered historic.
The list of allowed flags in the House version is below.
- The U.S. Flag
- The official Tennessee state flag
- A flag that cannot be disturbed or altered pursuant to § 4-1-412
- The POW/MIA flag
- A flag that represents an Indian tribe, as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304
- A flag that represents a city, county, metropolitan government, or other political subdivision of this state
- A flag that represents any unit, branch, or other division of the armed forces, including, but not limited to, an ROTC program
- A flag that represents a country or political subdivision thereof
- A flag that represents a college or university
- A flag that is 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; provided, that the flag of an organization duly authorized to use a public school building may only be displayed at the time and place that the organization is authorized to use school property
It was introduced by Rep. Gino Bulso (R - Brentwood) and bars the flags from being put anywhere students may see them. During an earlier House committee meeting, people speaking against the bill warned that the bill may restrict teachers' tattoos, coffee mugs or jewelry.
Lawmakers and attorneys at that committee meeting also warned that much of the bill would be up to interpretation from judges during a lawsuit.
