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Bills · 2019-2020 Regular Session

SB 739

Died at session end Official bill text Atom feed

Relating to: an official state language and use of English for governmental written expression and for nongovernmental purposes.

English language Municipality Public document State agencies

  1. Introduced, stopped here
  2. Passes Senate, not reached
  3. Passes Assembly, not reached
  4. Governor signs, not reached
  5. Law, not reached

Unfamiliar terms? Glossary

What this bill does

Plain-language analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill provides that the official language of this state is English. Currently,

the state has no official language.

The bill also provides that, unless otherwise specifically required by law, all

written expression by all units of state and local government in this state shall be in

the English language, except that such expression may be in another language when

appropriate to the circumstances of an individual case, the implementation of a

program in a specific instance, or the discharge of a responsibility in a particular

situation. The bill also permits government officers and employees to use a language

other than English in oral or written expression whenever necessary for one or more

of eight specified purposes.

In addition, the bill precludes any unit of state or local government in this state

from prohibiting any person from becoming proficient in any language or restricting

the oral or written use of any language for a nongovernmental purpose.

Sponsors

Introduced by: Craig (R) , Jacque (R) , Kapenga (R) , Marklein (R) , Nass (R)

5 cosponsors

Brandtjen (R) , Gundrum (R) , Neylon (R) , Wichgers (R) , Zimmerman (R)

Full history

  1. Jan 29, 2020 · Senate

    Introduced by Senators Jacque, Nass, Craig, Kapenga and Marklein; cosponsored by Representatives Brandtjen, Neylon, Gundrum and Zimmerman

  2. Jan 29, 2020 · Senate

    Read first time and referred to Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection

  3. Jan 30, 2020 · Senate

    Representative Wichgers added as a cosponsor

  4. Apr 1, 2020 · Senate

    Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1