Bill Text: MI HB4372 | 2013-2014 | 97th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: State; symbol; English; establish as official state language. Creates new act.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-07 - Printed Bill Filed 03/07/2013 [HB4372 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2013-HB4372-Introduced.html

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HOUSE BILL No. 4372

 

March 6, 2013, Introduced by Reps. Pettalia, McMillin, McBroom, Genetski, Franz, Somerville, Shirkey and Johnson and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

 

     A bill to designate English as the official state language; to

 

require the use of English in certain documents and at certain

 

public meetings; and to provide the powers and duties of certain

 

state and local agencies and officials.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 1. English is designated as the official language of this

 

state.

 

     Sec. 2. English shall be the language used for all of the

 

following:

 

     (a) Each public record, as defined in section 2 of the freedom

 

of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.232.

 

     (b) Each public meeting, as defined in section 2 of the open

 

meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.262.

 

     (c) Official acts of this state, including those governmental

 

documents, records, meetings, actions, or policies that are legally

 

enforceable in this state.

 

     Sec. 3. This act shall not be construed in any way to deny a

 

person's rights under the state constitution of 1963 or the

 

constitution of the United States or any state or federal law as a

 

result of that person's inability to communicate in English.

 

     Sec. 4. (1) In addition to printing official documents and

 

forms in English, a state agency or a local unit of government may

 

use or print official documents and forms in languages other than

 

English.

 

     (2) A document filed or recorded with a state agency or with a

 

local unit of government shall be in English or, if the original

 

document is in a language other than English, an English

 

translation of the document shall be simultaneously filed.

 

     Sec. 5. (1) This act does not apply under any of the following

 

circumstances:

 

     (a) If there is a conflict with federal law.

 

     (b) If the public safety, health, or justice requires the use

 

of languages other than English.

 

     (2) This act does not apply to any of the following:

 

     (a) Instruction designed to teach the speaking, reading, or

 

writing of foreign languages.

 

     (b) Instruction designed to aid students with limited English

 

proficiency in their transition and integration into the education

 

system of the state.

 

     (c) The promotion of international commerce, tourism, sporting

 

events, or cultural events.