Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Language Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee introduces proposed amendment to make English Idaho's official language
Summary
Rep. Dale Hawkins introduced RS 32593 to add a provision to Article X of the Idaho Constitution declaring English the language of public proceedings and documents; proponents said it would ensure uniformity while opponents warned it could disenfranchise non-English speakers and affect federally protected bilingual voting materials.
Representative Dale Hawkins, who represents a district that includes parts of Clearwater and Kootenai counties, presented RS 32593 to create a new constitutional provision declaring English the state’s official language for public proceedings, public documents and public institutions "except in areas required by federal law."
Hawkins said he brought the draft after seeing similar action at the federal level and described it as a declaration of state sovereignty. "This would impact school districts the same way it would impact every other government institution in the state. It would require that English is the primary language," Hawkins told the committee when asked about school-district implications.
Members questioned the practical effects. Representative Achilles asked why a state constitutional amendment is needed if the federal executive branch had issued an order; Achilles also pressed whether the measure would affect schoolchildren who speak many languages at home. Hawkins replied, "I would assume that we are already teaching those students English," but he did not provide specific guidance for multilingual school programs.
Representative Birch warned that enshrining an official-language requirement in the constitution "sets the stage for future laws that can disenfranchise significant portions of the population," saying it could be used later to cut funding for translation services or bilingual materials. Representative Monks, who moved the motion to introduce, said the draft does not prohibit other languages but seeks to ensure English is available in official acts and ballots so all voters can understand proceedings.
The committee voted to introduce RS 32593. The chair recorded Representatives Birch and Achilles as voting "nay." The motion carried.
Votes at a glance: RS 32593 — motion to introduce (moved by Representative Monks); outcome: introduced (nays recorded: Representative Birch; Representative Achilles).
