SB238 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

English, official language of State of Alabama, fines and penalties authorized for failure to use English as primary language, legislation to accommodate non-English speaking people prohibited, Amendment 509, Constitution of Alabama of 1901, (Section 36.01 Recompiled Constitution of Alabama of 1901) am'd., const. amend.

Summary

This bill would amend Alabama’s constitution to make English the official language and require all official state proceedings to be conducted in English.

What This Bill Does

It amends Amendment 509 (Section 36.01) to declare English as the language for all official state proceedings. It defines 'official proceeding' to include meetings and votes of public government bodies, conducted in person or through electronic means, and it excludes informal social gatherings. It allows residents or businesses to sue the State to enforce the amendment, with courts having jurisdiction, and lets the Legislature set reasonable limits on how such suits can be brought. It requires the Legislature to enforce the amendment and to preserve and enhance English as the common language.

Who It Affects

• Residents and businesses in Alabama who would have standing to sue the State to enforce the amendment.
• State and local government officials and public bodies, who must conduct official proceedings in English and operate to preserve/enhance English as the common language.

Key Provisions

• English becomes the language of all official proceedings in Alabama; the Legislature must enforce this through appropriate legislation and cannot diminish English's role.
• Official proceeding is defined to include meetings and votes of public governmental bodies, conducted in person or by electronic means, and excludes informal social gatherings.
• Any resident or business may sue the State to enforce the amendment; courts have jurisdiction; the Legislature may set time and manner limitations for such suits.
• Election of the amendment requires voter approval (Yes/No on a ballot) as described for constitutional amendments.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Constitutional Amendments