Okla. lawmaker plans official English legislation

The author of Oklahoma's sweeping anti-illegal-immigration law said Tuesday he plans new legislation that would ask voters to make English the official language of the state.

Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, said the measure will seek a constitutional amendment requiring that all official state government business be conducted in English similar to proposals adopted by 30 other states that have made English the official language.

The legislation addresses government speech and recognizes the state's right to control the way it communicates with citizens and how citizens communicate with it, Terrill said.

If approved by voters, the measure would prevent the state from having to deliver taxpayer services in a language other than English and avoid the cost of providing services in multiple languages by using translators and publishing state documents in various languages.

"Translation costs money," Terrill said. "We know the costs are significant."

The measure also adopts a federal government policy that encourages immigrants to assimilate into American society by speaking English.

The bill carves out exceptions for American Indian languages and would not interfere with tribal language programs. English-only legislation died in the House last year after it was opposed by tribal officials.

"This bill simply does not touch Native American languages at all," Terrill said. "This bill, I think, is legally air tight."

The "official English" requirements are in an amendment Terrill plans to insert into a Senate bill that is pending in the House General Government and Transportation Committee. Terrill said he hopes to fast-track the bill and have it approved by the House and Senate and awaiting Gov.

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