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Legal Status of official English in Idaho
Idaho made English its official language
in 2007
Languages in Idaho
9.3 percent of this state's residents predominantly spoke a foreign language
at home in 2000, up 65% since 1990. The most common of these languages
are Spanish (58,688 speakers), German (4,893), French (2,765), and Japanese
(1,410).
Idaho Statutory Official English (2007)
ENGLISH - OFFICIAL LANGUAGE -
Amends existing law to declare English to be the official state language;
to provide that English is the sole language of government, subject to
exceptions;
to provide that specified actions shall be in English, subject to exceptions;
to provide exceptions;
to provide for the return of specified funds to the state General Fund;
to provide duties for state agencies;
to provide duties for the State Controller;
to provide the State Board of Education rulemaking authority governing
the use of foreign languages in the public schools;
and to provide for recognition of specified constitutional rights.
Status: Passed.
March 7th: Approved by Senate, 20-15.
AYES -- Bair, Bastian, Cameron, Darrington, Davis, Fulcher, Geddes, Goedde,
Heinrich, Hill, Jorgenson, Keough, Little, Lodge, McGee, McKague, McKenzie,
Pearce, Richardson, Siddoway
NAYS -- Andreason, Bilyeu, Broadsword, Burkett, Coiner, Corder, Gannon,
Hammond, Kelly, Langhorst, Malepeai, Schroeder, Stegner, Stennett, Werk
March 19th: Approved by House, 46-20-4.
AYES -- Anderson, Andrus, Barrett, Bayer, Bedke, Bilbao, Block, Bolz,
Brackett, Bradford, Chadderdon, Clark, Collins, Crane, Edmunson, Eskridge,
Hagedorn, Hart, Henderson, Kren, Labrador, Lake, Loertscher, Luker, Marriott,
Mathews, McGeachin, Mortimer, Moyle, Nielsen, Nonini, Patrick, Raybould,
Roberts, Schaefer, Shepherd(2nd), Shepherd(8th), Shirley, Snodgrass, Stevenson,
Thayn, Vander Woude, Wills, Wood(27th), Wood(35th), Mr. Speaker
NAYS -- Bell, Bock, Boe, Chavez, Chew, Durst, Henbest, Jaquet, Killen,
King, LeFavour, Pasley-Stuart, Pence, Ring, Ringo, Ruchti, Rusche, Sayler,
Shively, Smith(30th)
ABSENT AND EXCUSED -- Black, Harwood, Smith(24th), Trail
(Legislators with common last names are distinguished by their district,
which is in parentheses.)
March 28th: Signed by Governor, to take effect July 1, 2007.
Bill Text
Senate Bill No. 1172
An Act relating to English as Idaho's official language, amending Section
73-121, Idaho Code, to o declare English to be the official state language;
to provide that English is the sole language of government, subject to
exceptions;
to provide that specified actions shall be in English, subject to exceptions;
to provide exceptions;
to provide for the return of specified funds to the state General Fund;
to provide duties for state agencies;
to provide duties for the State Controller;
to provide the State Board of Education rulemaking authority governing
the use of foreign languages in the public schools;
and to provide for recognition of specified constitutional rights.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:
SECTION 1. That Section 73-121, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
amended to read as follows:
73-121. CERTAIN DOCUMENTS TO BE IN ENGLISH THE OFFICIAL STATE LANGUAGE.
(1) English is hereby declared to be the official language of the state
of Idaho.
(2) Except as provided in this section, the English language is the sole
language of the government.
(3) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, any document,
certificate or instrument required to be filed, recorded or endorsed by
any officer of this state, or of any county, city or district in this
state, shall be in the English language or shall be accompanied by a certified
translation in English and all transactions, proceedings, meetings or
publications issued, conducted or regulated by, or on behalf of, or representing
the state of Idaho, or any county, city or other political subdivision
in this state shall be in the English language.
(4) Language other than English may be used when required:
(a) By the United States Constitution, the
Idaho Constitution, federal law or federal regulation;
(b) By law enforcement or public health
and safety needs;
(c) By public schools according to the rules
promulgated by the state board of education pursuant to subsection (6)
of this section;
(d) By the public postsecondary educational
institutions to pursue educational purposes;
(e) To promote and encourage tourism and
economic development, including the hosting of international events;
(f) To change the use of non-English terms
of art, phrases, proper names or expressions included as part of communication
otherwise in English; and
(g) By libraries to:
(i) Collect
and promote foreign language materials; and
(ii) Provide
foreign language services and activities.
(5) Unless exempted by subsection (4) of this section, all state funds
appropriated or designated for the printing or translation of materials
or the provision of services or information in a language other than English
shall be returned to the state general fund.
(a) Each state agency that has state funds
appropriated or designated for the printing or translation of materials
or the provision of services or information in a language other than English
shall:
(i) Notify
the state controller that those moneys exist and the amount of those moneys;
and
(ii) Return
those moneys to the state controller for deposit into the state general
fund.
(b) The state controller shall account for
those moneys and inform the legislature of the existence and amount of
those moneys at the beginning of the legislature's annual general session.
(6) The state board of education shall make rules governing the use of
foreign languages in the public schools that promote the following principles:
(a) Non-English speaking children and adults
should become able to read, write and understand English as quickly as
possible;
(b) Foreign language instruction should
be encouraged;
(c) Formal and informal programs in English
as a second language should be initiated, continued and expanded; and
(d) Public schools should establish communication
with non-English speaking parents within their systems, using a means
designed to maximize understanding when necessary, while encouraging those
parents who do not speak English to become more proficient in English.
(7) Nothing in this section shall restrict the rights of governmental
employees, private businesses, not-for-profit organizations or private
individuals to exercise their right under the first amendment of the United
States constitution or section 9, article I, of the Idaho constitution.
SECTION 2. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this act are hereby declared
to be severable and if any provision of this act or the application of
such provision to any person or circumstance is declared invalid for any
reason, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this act.
Statement of Purpose
RS 17031
English is Idaho's Official Language.
In the beginning Idaho was comprised of individual from many ethnic,
cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, and as a people we continue to benefit
from this rich diversity.
Idaho was able to build a state from this widespread and diverse background
because of a binding common thread...The English language. A common language
has allowed us to discuss, debate, and
come to agreement on difficult issues. The need is just as great today.
The purpose of this bill is to have an official language become our common
language.
This bill provides:
1. That English is the sole language of government subject to exceptions.
2. To provide that specified action shall be in English subject to exceptions.
3. To prohibit use of state funds for specified activities.
4. To provide for the return of specified funds to the state general fund.
5. To provide duties of state agencies, and the State Controller.
6. To provide the State Board of Education rulemaking authority governing
the use of foreign languages in public schools.
7. To provide for recognition of enumerated rights in the Constitution
of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Idaho.
8. Provide for severability.
This bill will place no restrictions on private business or what language
citizens speak in their private lives.
Fiscal Note
There should be no increased expenditures. There is a possibility
of returning money to the General Fund. This bill would save
taxpayers from the expense of unnecessary printing.
Co-Sponsors
Senator John McGee Representative JoAn Wood
Senator Monty Pearce Representative Larry Bradford
Senator Mike Jorgenson Representative Gary Collins
Senator Jeff Siddoway Representative Lenore Barrett
Senator Steve Bair Representative Mack Shirley
Senator Patty Ann Lodge Representative Jim Patrick
Senator Shirley McKague Representative Ken Roberts
Senator Russ Fulcher Representative Paul shepherd
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