Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com
Jerry L. O\'Connor, Wisconsin State Representative for 60th District | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes regulations for flags flown from the exterior of state and local government buildings, including schools, by permitting only the U.S. flag, the Wisconsin state flag, and flags of state agencies. It allows exceptions for flags commemorating veterans and military services, federally recognized American Indian tribes, states, U.S. territories, foreign nations for diplomatic purposes, local governments, first responder units, neighboring state flags at entry ports, flags at marinas and transport terminals if for safety purposes, and official school or university flags for special events. Flags supporting political parties, social causes, or representing holidays are prohibited. The bill does not apply to buildings leased to private entities or recognized American Indian reservations. An existing administrative rule governing similar regulations is repealed.
The bill was co-authored by Senator Dan Feyen (Republican-20th District), Representative David Armstrong (Republican-67th District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Robert Brooks (Republican-59th District), Representative Barbara Dittrich (Republican-99th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), along six other co-sponsors.
Jerry L. O'Connor has co-authored or authored another 32 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
O'Conner graduated from Minnesota Bible College in 1973.
O'Conner, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 60th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Robert Brooks.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
---|---|---|
AB58 | 02/24/2025 | Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule |
AB21 | 02/06/2025 | Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE) |