S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
2006
1997-1998 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 21, 1997
___________
Introduced by M. of A. PRENTISS, BONACIC, MANNING, WIRTH, DINGA, ANDER-
SON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARRAGA, CALHOUN, JOHNSON,
SEAMAN -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT in relation to making English the official language of New York
state
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
1 Section 1. English shall be the official language of the government of
2 the state of New York, to provide for the stability and cohesion of the
3 people of this state.
4 S 2. The state of New York shall conduct all of its official business
5 in English, which shall include:
6 a. All laws.
7 b. All court business.
8 c. Voter registration, ballots, and voter instructions.
9 d. All tax forms and instructions.
10 e. Driver`s licenses and driver tests.
11 f. All official ceremonies.
12 S 3. The legislature shall enact legislation to ensure the role of the
13 English language shall be the common language of this state, to be
14 spoken, written, and understood by all.
15 S 4. The legislature shall preserve, protect and perpetuate the
16 English language, and not supersede any of the rights guaranteed to the
17 people by the constitution of the state of New York.
18 S 5. The legislature shall make no law which diminishes or ignores the
19 English language or the role it plays as the common language of the
20 state of New York.
21 S 6. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
{ } is old law to be omitted.
LBD01717-01-7