Florida Senate - 2019                                     SB 718
       
       
        
       By Senator Gruters
       
       
       
       
       
       23-01109-19                                            2019718__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Honor and Remember flag;
    3         creating s. 256.16, F.S.; designating the Honor and
    4         Remember flag as an emblem of the state; authorizing
    5         the display of the flag at specified locations, on
    6         specified days, and in a specified manner; requiring
    7         the flags to be manufactured in the United States;
    8         authorizing local governments to display the flag at
    9         certain locations; authorizing certain departments,
   10         agencies, and local governments to adopt certain
   11         regulations by a specified date; authorizing the
   12         Department of Management Services to procure and
   13         distribute the flags by a specified date; providing an
   14         effective date.
   15          
   16  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   17  
   18         Section 1. Section 256.16, Florida Statutes, is created to
   19  read:
   20         256.16 Honor and Remember flag.—
   21         (1) The Honor and Remember flag is designated as the
   22  state’s emblem of the service and sacrifice of the brave men and
   23  women of the United States Armed Forces who have given their
   24  lives in the line of duty.
   25         (2) The flag may be displayed:
   26         (a) At the following locations:
   27         1. Any state-owned building at which the United States flag
   28  is displayed.
   29         2. Any state-owned military memorials.
   30         3. Any other state-owned location.
   31         (b) On the following days:
   32         1. Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May.
   33         2. Memorial Day, the last Monday in May.
   34         3. Flag Day, June 14.
   35         4. Independence Day, July 4.
   36         5. National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the third Friday in
   37  September.
   38         6. Veterans Day, November 11.
   39         7. Gold Star Mother’s Day, the last Sunday in September.
   40         8. The day on which a member of the United States Armed
   41  Forces who is a resident of the state loses his or her life in
   42  the line of duty.
   43         (c) In a manner designed to ensure visibility to the
   44  public.
   45         (d) With no more than two additional flags when displayed
   46  together on a flagpole.
   47         (3) A flag displayed pursuant to this section must be
   48  manufactured in the United States.
   49         (4) A local government may display the flag in accordance
   50  with paragraphs (2)(b), (c), and (d) at any local government
   51  building at which the United States flag is displayed and at any
   52  other local government location it deems appropriate.
   53         (5) By July 1, 2020, a department or an agency responsible
   54  for a location specified in paragraph (2)(a), or a local
   55  government pursuant to subsection (4), may adopt regulations as
   56  necessary to carry out this section. Such regulations may not
   57  require an employee to report to work solely to display the
   58  flag.
   59         (6) By July 31, 2020, the Department of Management Services
   60  may begin procurement and distribution of the flag as necessary
   61  to comply with this section.
   62         Section 2. This act shall take effect January 1, 2020.