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Idaho
Key Vote
English as the Official Language
Project Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that establishes English as the official state language.
Official Title of Legislation:
An Act relating to English as Idahos official language; amending Section 73-121, Idaho Code, 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 state exceptions, to provide for the return of specified funds to the state General Fund, to provide duties of state agencies, to provide duties of the State Controller, to provide the State Board of Education rulemaking authority governing the use of foreign languages in the public schools, to provide for recognition of specified constitutional rights; and to provide for severability.
Official Synopsis:
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.
Highlights:
- Provides exceptions for law enforcement and safety needs, public schools, postsecondary institutions, tourism, and libraries, as necessary (sec.1).
- Allows the State Board of Education to set rules governing the use of foreign languages in public schools, so long as they encourage non-English speakers to learn to read and write in English as quickly as possible (sec.1).
Full Text of Legislation (HTML Document)
Senate Passage: 03/07/2007 : Bill Passed 20 - 15 House Passage: 03/19/2007 : Bill Passed: 46 - 20 Governor Passage: 03/28/2007 : Signed
Sponsor: State Affairs
Cosponsors: Sen. Bair, R.
Rep. Barrett, Lenore
Rep. Bradford, Larry (out of office)
Rep. Collins, Gary
Sen. Fulcher, Russell
Sen. Jorgenson, Michael
Sen. Lodge, Patti
| Sen. McGee, John
Sen. McKague, Shirley
Rep. Patrick, James
Sen. Pearce, Monty
Rep. Raybould, Dell
Sen. Richardson, Melvin (out of office)
Rep. Roberts, Ken
| Rep. Shepherd, Paul
Rep. Shirley, Mack
Sen. Siddoway, Jeff
Rep. Wood, JoAn
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PVS provides summaries for each version of the bill selected as a key vote. The summary does not necessarily reflect the final version of the bill. For further status information, call the Voter's Research Hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART (1-888-868-3762).
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