Senate Bill 51 establishes strict regulations regarding the flags that can be displayed at state and local government buildings in Wisconsin. Specifically, it mandates that only the U.S. flag, the state flag, the official POW/MIA flag recognized by Congress, and the official flags of each branch of the U.S. armed forces may be flown from any flagpole or building owned or occupied by state agencies or local political subdivisions, such as cities, villages, towns, or counties. Exceptions to this rule can only be made through a joint resolution passed by a three-fourths majority in both houses of the legislature or by a similar majority vote within the governing body of a political subdivision.

Additionally, the bill repeals an existing administrative rule that allowed the governor to make exceptions to flag display regulations. The new requirements will take effect on January 1, 2027, for state facilities, while the provisions for local political subdivisions will also apply from that date. The bill aims to standardize flag display practices across government entities while limiting the types of flags that can be shown.