HCS HB 1814 -- LANGUAGE OF OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

SPONSOR:  Roark (Nieves)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 4 to 1.

This substitute requires that English be the language of all
official proceedings in Missouri, except those occasions where
American Sign Language is used for the purpose of communication
or education.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill will ensure the use of
English as the official language which will result in simplicity
and uniformity for official communications.

Testifying for the bill was Representative Nieves.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that the original bill
could prohibit the use of sign language.

Testifying against the bill was Missouri Commission of the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing.

Jason Glahn, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:44 am