ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF UTAH
Ballot initiative passed by voters, 7 November 2000
AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS IN GENERAL; DECLARING ENGLISH TO BE
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE FOR THE CONDUCT OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN UTAH; REQUIRING
THE RETURN TO THE GENERAL FUND OF ANY FUNDS APPROPRIATED OR DESIGNATED
FOR PROVIDING SERVICES IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE; AND PROVIDING EXCEPTIONS.
This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
ENACTS:
63-13-1.5.
Utah Code Annotated 1953
Section 1. Section 63-13-1.5 is enacted to read:
63-13-1.5. Official state language.
(1) English is declared to be the official language of Utah.
(2) As the official language of this State, the English language is
the sole language of the government, except as otherwise provided in this
section.
(3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), all official documents, transactions,
proceedings, meetings, or publications issued, conducted, or regulated
by, on behalf of, or representing the state and its political subdivisions
shall be in English.
(4) Languages other than English may be used when required:
(a) by the United States Constitution, the Utah
State Constitution, federal law, or federal regulation;
(b) by law enforcement or public health and safety
needs;
(c) by public and higher education systems according
to rules made by the State Board of Education and the State Board of Regents
to comply with Subsection (5);
(d) in judicial proceedings, when necessary to insure
that justice is served;
(e) to promote and encourage tourism and economic
development, including the hosting of international events such as the
Olympics; and
(f) by libraries to:
(i) collect and promote
foreign language materials; and
(ii) provide foreign language
services and activities.
(5) The State Board of Education and the State Board of Regents shall
make rules governing the use of foreign languages in the public and higher
education systems that promote the following principles:
(a) non-English speaking children and adults should
become able to read, write, and understand English as quickly as possible;
(b) foreign language instruction should be encouraged;
(c) formal and informal programs in English as a
Second Language should be initiated, continued, and expanded; and
(d) public schools should establish communication
with non-English speaking parents of children within their systems, using
a means designed to maximize understanding when necessary, while encouraging
those parents who do not speak English to become more proficient in English.
(6) Unless exempted by Subsection (4), all state funds appropriated
or designated for the printing or translation of materials or the provision
of services or information in a language other than English shall be returned
to the General Fund.
(a) Each state agency that has state funds appropriated
or designated for the printing or translation of materials or the provision
of services or information in a language other than English shall:
(i) notify the Division
of Finance that those monies exist and the amount of those monies; and
(ii) return those monies
to the Division of Finance.
(b) The Division of Finance shall account for those
monies and inform the Legislature of the existence and amount of those
monies at the beginning of the Legislature's annual general session.
(c) The Legislature may appropriate any monies received
under this section to the State School Board for use in English as a Second
Language programs.
(7) Nothing in this section affects the ability of government employees,
private businesses, non-profit organizations, or private individuals to
exercise their rights under:
(a) the First Amendment of the United States Constitution;
and
(b) Utah Constitution, Article 1, Sections 1 and
15.
(8) If any provision of this section, or the application of any such
provision to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the remainder
of this act shall be given effect without the invalid provision or application.