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Committee advances House Joint Resolution 6 to make English the state's official language

2579007 · March 12, 2025

Summary

Representative Dale Hawkins introduced HJR 6 to add an English-only provision to the Idaho Constitution; the committee voted to advance the resolution to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation.

Representative Dale Hawkins introduced House Joint Resolution 6, proposing a constitutional amendment to designate English as the official language of Idaho and to require English in public proceedings and documents except where federal law requires otherwise. "Executive order affects the federal government, does not trickle down into the states," Hawkins said, arguing the amendment aligns state law with recent federal action.

Hawkins said a similar requirement exists in state statute and that HJR 6 would enshrine the policy in the state constitution. There was no testimony registered in opposition and no in-person public testimony on the resolution.

Representative Crane moved to send HJR 6 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion. The motion carried; two members were recorded as voting no (Representatives Shuba and Keeley).

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