Idaho Lawmaker Proposes Revised Bill to Restrict Pride Flag Displays

The new bill aims to close a loophole that allowed Boise to designate the LGBTQ+ pride flag as an official city flag.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:31pm

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An Idaho Republican lawmaker has introduced a revised bill that would ban cities and counties from flying any flags that became official in 2023 or later, in an effort to prevent Boise from continuing to display the LGBTQ+ pride flag. The bill would also add a $2,000 daily fine per offending flag and give the state attorney general the power to enforce the law through lawsuits.

Why it matters

This bill is the latest development in an ongoing debate over LGBTQ+ rights and representation in Idaho. The state legislature recently passed a law restricting the display of flags on government property, which Boise attempted to work around by designating the pride flag as an official city flag. This new bill aims to close that loophole and further limit the ability of local governments to fly flags that the state deems unacceptable.

The details

The revised bill, House Bill 561, was introduced by Republican Rep. Ted Hill of Eagle. It would ban cities and counties from flying any flags that became official in 2023 or later, which would include the LGBTQ+ pride flag that Boise designated as an official city flag in 2025. The bill would also add a $2,000 daily fine per offending flag and give the state attorney general the power to enforce the law through lawsuits.

  • In May 2025, the Boise City Council voted to make the LGBTQ+ pride flag and the organ donor flag as official city flags.
  • The revised bill, House Bill 561, was introduced in the Idaho House State Affairs Committee in January 2026.

The players

Rep. Ted Hill

An Eagle Republican lawmaker who introduced the revised bill to restrict flag displays by local governments in Idaho.

Boise City Council

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

Raúl Labrador

The Idaho Attorney General who would be given the power to enforce the law through lawsuits under the revised bill.

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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, Republican 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, Republican Lawmaker

What’s next

The Idaho House State Affairs Committee will hold a full hearing with public testimony on House Bill 561 in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This revised bill is the latest attempt by Idaho Republicans to limit the ability of local governments to display flags or symbols that they deem unacceptable, even if those flags have been designated as official by city or county governments. The debate over LGBTQ+ representation and rights continues to be a divisive political issue in the state.