Florida requires US made flags thanks to Brevard bill

Cities, counties and the state of Florida will have to purchase state and American flags made in the United States thanks to a bill proposed and championed by Brevard County students.

Gov. Rick Scott signed the "All American Flag Act" and 47 other bills on Thursday. He also vetoed a bill related to the licensing and regulation of engineers.

Local government and state agencies will have to start following the flag mandate after Jan. 1. Information compiled by legislative staff showed the vast majority of flags bought in the state are already American-made.

Students and graduates from Brevard County high schools proposed and championed the act. It was spun out of a class project at Eau Gallie High School and pioneered by other students around the county.

Florida Rep. Ritch Workman, R-Melbourne, sponsored the bill.

The flag bill triggered a debate on the House floor.

Some Republicans said they could not support the legislation because they said it was anti-competitive. But other lawmakers said that taxpayer money should not be spent on flags made in other countries like China.