SENATE BILL 503

By:Brogdon

An Act relating to crimes and punishments; amending 21 O.S. 2001, Section 375, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 107, O.S.L. 2003 (21 O.S. Supp. 2004, Section 375), which relates to flags; prohibiting the display of the United Nations flag upon or over certain publicly owned tax-supported property; specifying penalty; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1. AMENDATORY
O.S. 2001, Section 375, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 107, O.S.L. 2003 (21 O.S. Supp. 2004, Section 375), is amended to read as follows:

A. It shall be unlawful and constitute a misdemeanor for any person to place, hoist, raise or display any flag, standard, colors or ensign upon or over any publicly owned tax-supported property or premises except roads, streets, highways, stadiums or arenas in the State of Oklahoma, except:

1.  The flag, standard, colors or ensign of the United States of America;

2.  The flag of any nation formerly having dominion over the land now comprising the State of Oklahoma or any portion of said land;

3.  The official flag of any of the fifty states of the United States;

4.  An Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building commemorative flag;

5.  The official flag of any municipality in this state;

6.  The Boy Scouts of America flag;

7.  The Girl Scouts United States of America flag;

8.  The American Red Cross flag;

9.  The American Ex-Prisoner of War flag;

10.  The POW/MIA flag; and

11.  Such other flags as may be approved by the governing board or agency having control over said public property.

B.  It shall be unlawful and constitute a misdemeanor to place, hoist, raise or display any flag, standard, colors, ensign or other symbol representing the United Nations upon or over any publicly owned tax-supported property or premises, roads, streets, highways, stadiums or arenas in the State of Oklahoma.  Provided, however, this prohibition does not apply to the display of such flag, standard, colors, ensign or other symbol for historical and educational purposes, or to the display on private property.

B. C.  Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.