GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2011

H                                                                                                                                                   D

HOUSE DRH80100-LBx-136A  (02/15)

 

 

 

Short Title:        English the Official Language.

(Public)

Sponsors:

Representatives Hastings, Hilton, and Pridgen (Primary Sponsors).

Referred to:

 

 

 

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to amend the north carolina constitution to make english the official language.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article XIV of the North Carolina Constitution is amended by adding a new section to read:

"Sec. 6.  English is the official language of North Carolina.

(1)        English is the common language of the people of the United States of America and the State of North Carolina. This section is intended to preserve, protect, and strengthen the English language and not to supersede any of the rights guaranteed to the people by the Constitution of the United States or the Constitution of North Carolina.

(2)        English is the official language of the State of North Carolina."

SECTION 2.  The amendment set out in Section 1 of this act shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State at the statewide general election in November of 2012, which election shall be conducted under the laws then governing elections in the State.  Ballots, voting systems, or both may be used in accordance with Chapter 163 of the General Statutes.  The question to be used in the voting systems and ballots shall be:

"[ ] FOR           [ ] AGAINST

Constitutional amendment providing that English is the official language of the State of North Carolina."

SECTION 3.  If a majority of votes cast on the question are in favor of the amendment set out in Section 1 of this act, the State Board of Elections shall certify the amendment to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall enroll the amendment so certified among the permanent records of that office and it is effective upon such enrollment.

SECTION 4.  This act is effective when it becomes law.