Texas Flag Code

                                                                         

Texas Flag Code

The display of the state of Texas' flag is defined in Texas law. There are policies regarding how you may hang it outside a house and how it can be displayed during a parade. There are specific days of the year it must be hung at half staff. The only flag permitted to be flown higher than the Texas State Flag is the U.S. Flag. The following information was excerpted from the Texas Statutes, Title 11, Subtitle A, Chapter 3100.

Flying Texas State Flag on a Flagstaff

o    When the Texas state flag is mounted on a flagstaff, it should be mounted so it is located at the very top of the flag pole. The measurement of the staff should be at least 250% times the height of the flag's hoist. If the Texas state flag has a finial it should be in one of two shapes, either a star or a spearhead. If this flag is permanently mounted on the flag pole it can have gold decorations made of tassels or fringe surrounding the flag.

Flying the Texas State Flag at Half Staff

o    At times of remembrance the flag will be flown at half staff. When this occurs the flag must be raised to the top of the staff first, resting for one minute and then lowered to mid staff. On Memorial Day the flag spends until noon at half staff, at that point it is raised to the peak of the flag pole. Other holidays that the flag remains at half staff include Peace Offers Memorial Day (unless May 15th is also Armed Forces Day), and any day that Texas Governor declares for the memory of a deceased individual.

Parades and Marching

o    When being displayed in a parade, the Texas State Flag should be the furthest flag to the right for the individuals carrying the flags, unless the United States Flag is being displayed as well. In that case the Texas State Flag is the one that is just to the left of the U.S. flag holder in the parade. If flags are presented in order, the Texas State Flag should only be displayed behind the U.S. Flag; otherwise it should be at the front of the line.

Rules of Display

o    At no time and under any circumstances should the Texas State Flag be held in a manner where it is touching the ground or the floor beneath it. It should never be dipped or lowered beneath any other flag, except for the U.S. Flag. It should never be used in a way where it is carrying another object. The Texas State Flag also should not be displayed on the hood of a motor vehicle  train, boat, or aircraft. It should not be used as a decoration for a ceiling inside a building.

Retirement of a Texas State Flag

o    At the retirement ceremony of a Texas State Flag all members of the military in uniform must remain silent, face the flag, and salute the flag during the entire ceremony. Those that are not members of the military or not in uniform must remove any head ware he is wearing and hold it in his right hand over his heart while facing the flag and reciting the state flag pledge. Anyone not wearing head ware must stand at attention facing the flag with his right hand over his heart reciting the state flag pledge.