Idaho Lawmaker Proposes Bill to Fine Boise for Flying LGBTQ+ Pride Flag

The new bill would add a $2,000 daily fine per offending flag and restrict flag displays on government property.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:39pm

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An Idaho Republican lawmaker has introduced a new version of a bill that aims to punish the city of Boise for flying the LGBTQ+ pride flag. The bill, House Bill 561, would ban flying Idaho city or county flags that became official in 2023 or later, which includes the LGBTQ+ pride flag and the organ donor flag that Boise City Council voted to make official city flags in May 2025. The bill would also add a $2,000 daily fine, per offending flag, to the flag ban law from last year, which lacked an enforcement process.

Why it matters

This bill is part of a broader effort by some Republican lawmakers in Idaho to restrict the display of LGBTQ+ symbols and flags on government property. The city of Boise's decision to make the LGBTQ+ pride flag an official city flag was seen by some as a way to circumvent the Legislature's previous law banning the display of flags not on a pre-approved list. This new bill is an attempt to close that perceived loophole and impose financial penalties on the city.

The details

The bill, introduced by Republican Rep. Ted Hill, would ban flying Idaho city or county flags that became official in 2023 or later. It would also add a $2,000 daily fine, per offending flag, to the flag ban law from last year. The bill would allow the Idaho Attorney General to enforce the law through lawsuits to stop cities from flying certain flags and to seek civil court fines. Temporary parades or assemblies on government property would be exempt from the flag display ban, but Hill acknowledged the bill could prevent some other flag displays as 'collateral damage'.

  • In May 2025, the Boise City Council voted to make the LGBTQ+ pride flag and the organ donor flag as official city flags.
  • The Idaho House State Affairs Committee introduced Hill's latest version of the bill on Thursday, January 30, 2026, clearing the way for a full hearing with public testimony.

The players

Rep. Ted Hill

An Eagle Republican lawmaker who introduced the bill to punish the city of Boise for flying the LGBTQ+ pride flag.

Boise City Council

The city council that voted in May 2025 to make the LGBTQ+ pride flag and the organ donor flag as official city flags.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador

The state attorney general who would be able to enforce the law through lawsuits to stop cities from flying certain flags and seek civil court fines.

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What they’re saying

“There was no way to enforce it, so there has to be a response to that. And that's what this bill is about, specifically insubordinate government officials. … It sets a tone of anarchy.”

— Rep. Ted Hill, Lawmaker

“This is a compromise. There is some collateral damage, and they're insignificant. I don't think it's going to be a problem. Let's focus on what the objective is here: Unity under that flag and the American flag is the key.”

— Rep. Ted Hill, Lawmaker

What’s next

The Idaho House State Affairs Committee will hold a full hearing with public testimony on Rep. Ted Hill's latest version of the bill, House Bill 561.

The takeaway

This bill is the latest attempt by some Idaho Republican lawmakers to restrict the display of LGBTQ+ symbols and flags on government property, despite the city of Boise's efforts to circumvent previous restrictions. The proposed fines and enforcement mechanisms highlight the ongoing tensions around the visibility of LGBTQ+ issues in the state.