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Ending E.O. 13166,
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Nevada Statutory Official English (SB
325)
Status
Nevada's official English bill passed the Senate, 19-2, but the House
took no action. There will be no further legislative action under this
legislature.
It was Introduced March 19th by Senators Beers, Heck, Cegavsky, Hardy
and by Assemblymen Beers, Hardy, Cobb, Goedhart, Grady, Marvel.
The Senate legislation is republished below. The bill's origina language
is in black. Amendments added to the bill are in green.
Language which was removed by amendment is struck through, like this.
Existing state law is reprinted in Italics. ProEnglish endorses the passage
of the bill, despite opposing the deletions made by amendment.
Click
here for current information from the Nevada legislature's official web
page.
[Official Legislative Information]
Senate Bill No. 325
MARCH 19, 2007
Referred to Committee on Government Affairs
SUMMARY—Makes various changes concerning the English
language. (BDR 19-760)
FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.
Effect on the State: No.
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[Official Legislative Summary]
AN ACT relating to governmental administration;
designating English as the official language of the State of Nevada;
requires certain proceedings, and records
of this State to be in English;
and providing other matters properly relating thereto.
[Official Legal Analysis of Bill]
Legislative Counsel’s Digest:
Section 1 of this bill designates English as the official language of
the State of Nevada and, with limited exceptions, requires that all official
proceedings of the State be conducted in English, requires all official
records of the State to be prepared, stored and made available in English.
[Official Text of Bill]
WHEREAS, English is the common language of the
people of the United 2 States of America and the State of Nevada and should
be preserved, protected 3 and strengthened; and
WHEREAS, English is the most widely used language in the areas of finance,
trade, technology, diplomacy and entertainment, and is the living library
of the last 100 years of scientific and technological advances; and
WHEREAS, There are more persons who speak English as a second language
in the world than there are native speakers of English, and the numerous
schools that teach English around the world demonstrate that English is
soon to become the prevalent language used throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, It is universally accepted that a common language promotes unity
and fosters better communication; and
WHEREAS, Knowledge of the different languages existing in today’s
world enhances competitiveness and growth in world trade and promotes
economic expansion; and
WHEREAS, A skilled labor force is crucial to the competitiveness of the
State of Nevada in today’s national and global economy, and a knowledge
of both English and foreign languages enhances communication and diplomatic
efforts by fostering greater communication and understanding between nations
and can promote a greater understanding between different ethnic and racial
groups within the United States; now, therefore,
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN
SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
section to read as follows:
1. The Legislature hereby:
(a) Pledges that it:
(1) Will not enact any law which diminishes or ignores the role of English
as the common language of this State; and
(2)
Will take all steps necessary to ensure that English is preserved and
enhanced as the common language of this State.
(b) Encourages other state officials to take
appropriate steps to ensure thatEnglish is preserved and enhanced as the
common language of this State.
(c) Recognizes:
(1)
The importance of English as the unifying language of the United States
and the importance of speaking English fluently to succeed in American
society;
(2)
That a command of English is a critical component of the success and productivity
of the children in this State and should be encouraged at all ages; and
(3)
That a skilled labor force is crucial to this State’s competitiveness
in a global economy and the ability to speak one or more languages in
addition to English is a significant skill.
(d) Supports educational programs designed
to teach English as well as other languages.
(e) Encourages the residents of this State:
(1) To master English as well as other languages; and
(2)
To take advantage of all educational opportunities to realize their potential
in the mastery of English as well as other languages.
2. English is hereby designated as the official
language of the State of Nevada.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection [3:] 4:
Senate Amendment No. 414 to Senate Bill No. 325 Page 4
(a) All official proceedings of this
State must be conducted in the English language.
(b) All official records of this State
must be prepared, stored and made available in the English language.
4. The provisions of subsection 2 3 do not apply to:
(a) State
employees when conducting official state business orally.
(b) Classes
that teach students a language other than English.
(c) Classes
that teach students whose proficiency in the English language is limited.
(d) Situations
in which the exclusive use of the English language would interfere with
the functions and requirements of the judicial system of this State.
(e) Situations
in which the exclusive use of the English language would interfere with
public health or safety or the provision of emergency services.
(f) The promotion
of international trade or tourism by an officer, employee or agent of
this State.
5. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other specific statute:
(a) No court
of this State has jurisdiction to hear a claim against this State that
is based solely on the failure of this State to provide copies of statutes,
regulations, reports, forms or other documents in a language other than
English.
(b) Neither
this State nor an officer, employee or agent of this State is liable,
civilly or criminally, for an act or omission committed to carry out the
provisions of subsection 2.
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