2017 House Bill 4053

Establish English as official state language

Introduced in the House

Jan. 18, 2017

Introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R-71)

To establish English as the official state language. This would apply to government activities, but not to private sector activity. It would require governmental documents, records, meetings, actions, or policies to be in English, but would not prohibit them from also being in another language.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

Dec. 13, 2017

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Feb. 22, 2018

Substitute offered by Rep. Klint Kesto (R-39)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that makes English the state's "principal" language for the functions specified in the bill (public records, meetings, official functions and acts). Also, to permit a public body from using languages in addition to using English for the purposes specified above.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Erika Geiss (D-12)

To establish the metric system as the state's official weights and measures system of this state. Also, to adopt the "Oxford comma" and British spelling and pronunciation as the state's official comma and official spelling and pronunciation conventions.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jeremy Moss (D-35)

To establish Ojibew as Michigan's official state language.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D-27)

To establish this bill cannot become law unless a constitutional amendment repealing Michigan's prohibition of a graduated income tax system also becomes law (House Joint Resolution K).

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D-6)

To appropriate $1 million for English learner and immigrant education programs.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D-27)

To add an exception to the bill allowing the motto of the great seal of Michigan to be in English not latin. The motto is "Si Quaeris Peninsulam Amoenam, Circumspice," which means "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." The bill already contains an exception for the use of terms of art or phrases from other languages.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Stephanie Chang (D-6)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that would require state agencies to provide translators and translation services to non-English speakers who are seeking public services and benefits. See House Bill 4619.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 62 to 46 (details)

To establish English as the official state language. This would apply to government activities, but not to private sector activity. It would require governmental documents, records, meetings, actions, and policies to be in English, but would not prohibit them from also being in another language.

Received in the Senate

Feb. 27, 2018

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

March 22, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.