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Utah Senate approves bill to remove exclusionary language while retaining English as official state language
Summary
The Utah Senate passed SB 214, which declares English the official language but removes additional statutory language critics called exclusionary; senators sparred over whether changing a 20-year-old ballot initiative overrides voters and whether repeal would be discriminatory.
The Utah Senate on the floor approved Senate Bill 214 to declare English the official language of the state while striking additional statutory language described by supporters as exclusionary and by opponents as a vote to override a ballot initiative.
Senator Cullimore, sponsor of SB 214, told colleagues the measure "strikes all of that language, after declaring English as the official language" so state and local governments can communicate effectively with multicultural communities and advertise available relief and services. He framed the change as an effort to remove language that could be seen as "exclusive and not welcoming."
Senator Davis, who offered but ultimately withdrew a broader substitute that would have repealed the entire section, said the statute sends "a very strong message of un-inclusiveness" and characterized the change as an attempt to eliminate discriminatory language. "Language is something that people communicate with," Davis said, arguing the statutory text can create discrimination for residents who do not speak English.
Opponents urged caution about moving abruptly away from voters' intent. Senator Bramble and others warned that the language derived from a ballot initiative passed about two decades ago and said the change should be subject to public input. Senator Bridal said it would be wrong to "simply come in and remove this without some kind of public input and public debate." Senator Harper, who voted against the substitute and later explained his vote against repeal, said he had made commitments to voters when the initiative passed and would continue to honor those commitments.
After debate and a failed motion to adopt the substitute repeal, the Senate voted under suspension of the rules to pass SB 214. The clerk recorded the final tally as 21 ayes and 8 nays. The bill will be transmitted to the House for consideration.
The next step is House consideration and any conference committee if the House makes different changes. For now, SB 214 advances from the Senate with supporters saying it removes language that could harm inclusivity and opponents saying it risks overriding voter intent without public discussion.
