Texas Senate Cracks Down on School Flags: Only These Can Fly Under New Bill

The Texas Senate has approved a new bill that would restrict the types of flags allowed to be displayed in public schools across the state. Senate Bill 762, introduced by Senator Donna Campbell and co-authored by Senator Brandon Creighton, passed the Senate on April 15, 2025, with a 23-8 vote. The legislation now moves to the Texas House for further consideration.

If enacted, the bill would permit only certain flags to be displayed on public school property. These include the United States flag, the Texas flag, the POW/MIA flag, flags representing Native American tribes, military branches, colleges and universities, political subdivisions, and a school’s official flag. It also allows for temporary flag displays tied directly to curriculum requirements and for organizations using school facilities to display their flags only during approved times and in designated areas. Importantly, the bill also prohibits any of these approved flags from being altered in design, color, or symbols.

The bill gives parents or guardians the right to file a written complaint if they believe a school is displaying an unapproved flag. The school would then have ten business days to address the issue and provide a written explanation of how it was resolved. If the school fails to respond within that timeframe, it could face a civil penalty of $500 for each day it remains out of compliance. The Texas Attorney General would be authorized to pursue legal action to collect these fines, which would be directed to the state’s general revenue fund.

The bill advanced out of the Senate Education Committee with a 9-1 vote on April 7. Supporters say the bill establishes clear and consistent standards for what is displayed in school environments. Critics, however, have raised concerns about whether it may restrict certain forms of expression in public education settings.

If the bill is approved by the House and signed into law, the new rules would go into effect on January 1, 2026.