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| Date: | February 1, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Chris Van Guilder | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-1388 | | Contact Email: | christopher.vanguilder@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
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| SENATOR INGEBRIGTSEN INTRODUCES ENGLISH AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE LEGISLATION |
(ST. PAUL) – State Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen (R-Alexandria), introduced legislation on Monday that would designate English as Minnesota’s official language. The bill, Senate File 175, would require that government documents, regulations, meetings and other services and publications be conducted and performed in English only. In addition, the legislation would also require that
driver’s license exams be administered in English, and be successfully completed by the applicant without the assistance of an interpreter.
“Learning the English language is essential. The use of a common language removes barriers of misunderstanding and provides unity,” said Senator Ingebrigtsen. “The state has an interest in promoting the use of the English language, and people have a responsibility to learn it.”
The legislation offers exceptions to the English only requirement for the purposes of education, public health and safety, American Indian languages, criminal defense and victim protection, and the promotion or creation of state trade, commerce and tourism. This bill protects the rights of individuals to use any other language in private communications.
The bill would create savings for schools, cities and the state by eliminating many translation costs associated with duplicating services in multiple languages.
Senate File 175 was introduced Monday and referred to the Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee. The House companion bill, House File 64, was introduced in early January and is currently being referred to the House Transportation Policy and Finance Committee. More than 25 states have legislation identifying English as their official language.
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