The Utah State Auditor has found that the display of a pride flag by a City Council member does not violate state law governing the use of flags on government property. The determination follows an investigation into whether such displays breach the restrictions established under Utah Code Section 63G-1-704.
Regulations on Government Flag Displays
Under Utah Code Section 63G-1-704, which became effective on November 6, 2025, government entities and certain employees are generally prohibited from displaying flags on government property, except for a specific list of authorized symbols. The law defines 'display' as placing a flag in a prominent, easily visible location on property owned or controlled by a government entity.
The statute specifically prohibits government entities, including local governments and schools, from displaying flags on their grounds or displaying exempt flags with alterations to their color, symbols, or appearance. However, the law provides several explicit exceptions for certain types of flags.
Authorized Flag Exceptions
The list of permitted flags under the Utah Code is extensive and includes the official flag of the United States, the official Utah state flag, and the current official flags of other countries, states, or political subdivisions. Other allowed displays include flags representing branches or units of the U.S. military, the National League of Families POW/MIA flag, and flags representing Indian tribes as defined by federal law.
Additionally, the code permits the use of officially licensed college or university flags that adhere to official branding, historic versions of the U.S. and Utah flags, and flags representing the United States Olympic, Paralympic, or International Olympic Committees. The law also allows for the display of flags from organizations authorized to use public school facilities during their permitted usage times.
Auditor Oversight and Penalties
The State Auditor is tasked with a specific oversight role under Section 63G-1-704. The auditor must establish a formal process to receive and investigate all alleged violations of the flag display regulations. When an allegation is made against a government entity, the auditor is required to provide notice of the alleged violation.
If the State Auditor determines that a violation has been substantiated, the relevant government entity is provided an opportunity to cure the violation within a period not exceeding 30 calendar days. For government entities other than school districts or individual schools, failure to rectify a confirmed violation can result in a fine of $500 per violation, per day. These collected fines are deposited into the state's General Fund.
Centerville Council Member Profile
While the legal dispute centered on flag displays, Centerville City Council member Cheylynn Hayman serves as a prominent figure within the local government. According to her official city profile, Hayman has been a resident of Centerville for 18 years and has spent much of her life in Davis County.
Hayman's current term on the Centerville City Council runs from January 2024 through January 2028. During her tenure, she also holds positions on the Trails Committee, the Performing Arts Center Administrative Control Board as a Regional Development Authority representative, and the Davis County Mosquito Abatement District Board.
Professional and Community Roles
Beyond her role on the City Council, Hayman maintains several professional and community commitments. She serves as the Chair of the Utah Judicial Conduct Commission and is a member of the Utah State Bar’s Character & Fitness Committee. She also sits on the board of trustees for the non-profit Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company.
Hayman, who grew up in Layton, has stated that she aims to bring human resources, problem-solving, and citizen planning experience to the council to complement the diverse professional backgrounds of her colleagues.
Legal Finality
The State Auditor's findings regarding the legality of the flag display provide clarity on the limits of government property regulation in Utah. While the law allows for judicial review of any fines imposed by the auditor to ensure they are not clearly erroneous, the current determination uphields the legality of the council member's actions under the existing framework of Section 63G-1-704.
