# 119-hr-4287: Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act

119-hr-4287, Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14] (R-NC); status introduced (as of 2026-04-21).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4287
- As of: 2026-04-21
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-4287
- Congress: 119
- Title: Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-07-02
- Sponsor: Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14] (R-NC)
- Cosponsors: 3
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-04-21

## Summary

**Creates enhanced penalties for using incendiary devices or burning the U.S. flag during certain federal crimes.** This bill would add a new federal enhancement that imposes a minimum 1-year prison term when someone knowingly uses open flames or an incendiary device while committing federal offenses and preserves First Amendment protection for peaceful symbolic conduct. - People who use open flames or incendiary devices while committing federal crimes that cause property damage, obstruct government operations, or endanger the public would face an added minimum sentence of 1 year, on top of other penalties. - Federal employees, public officials, and the public could see stronger deterrence against incendiary intimidation and attacks on federal property. - Individuals who burn the flag as peaceful symbolic speech and do not engage in criminal acts remain protected under the First Amendment.

## Cosponsors (3)

- Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10] (R-NC), 2025-07-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Norman, Ralph [R-SC-5] (R-SC), 2025-07-02T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22] (R-TX), 2025-07-02T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Harsher penalties for fire in federal crimes: benefit, medium. If enacted, people who use fire during certain federal crimes would face at least 1 year in prison. This would be added on top of other penalties. It would cover open flames or incendiary devices, including flag burning. It applies when crimes involve property damage, obstructing government, or pub…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025
- 119-hr-6644: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
- 119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025
- 119-hr-3816: Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
- 119-hr-987: Fair Access to Banking Act
- 119-hr-8374: Equal Treatment for Farmers Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-4287 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4287)

## Related
- [119-hr-3151: SHIPS for America Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3151)
- [119-hr-6644: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-6644)
- [119-hr-4669: FEMA Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4669)
- [119-hr-3816: Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3816)
- [119-hr-987: Fair Access to Banking Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-987)
- [119-hr-8374: Equal Treatment for Farmers Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-8374)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4287 (as of 2026-04-21).