LRB-0378/1
PJD:kmg:aj
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
March 21, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives Ladwig, Zukowski, Porter,
Gunderson, Grothman, Dobyns, Nass, Owens, Walker, Prosser, Hahn,
Huebsch, Hutchison, Green, Olsen, Handrick, Gard, Skindrud, Vrakas, Ott,
Ainsworth, Freese, Goetsch, Brancel, Seratti, Johnsrud, Musser, Albers,
Underheim, Schneiders, Kaufert, Ziegelbauer, Ryba and Lehman,
cosponsored by Senators Drzewiecki, A. Lasee, Buettner and Cowles.
Referred to Committee on State Affairs.
AJR29,1,4
1To create section 25 of article I of the constitution;
relating to: declaring English
2the language of Wisconsin, mandating the use of English for all governmental
3written expression, and permitting release of governmental communications in
4additional languages when appropriate (first consideration).
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This constitutional amendment, proposed to the 1995 legislature on first
consideration, creates a new section of article I of the state constitution. Article I
contains the state constitution's declaration of rights. The new section created by
this constitutional amendment declares that: "The language of Wisconsin is English.
All written expression by the state of Wisconsin or by any unit of government in this
state shall be in English. Any official communication of government in this state may
be released in additional languages when appropriate to the special circumstances
of an individual case, the implementation of a program in a specific instance or the
discharge of a responsibility in a particular situation."
As a constitutional amendment, the proposal requires adoption by 2 successive
legislatures, and ratification by the people, before it can become effective.
AJR29,1,5
5Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That:
AJR29, s. 1
6Section
1. Section 25 of article I of the constitution is created to read:
AJR29,2,37
[Article I] Section 25. The language of Wisconsin is English. All written
8expression by the state of Wisconsin or by any unit of government in this state shall
9be in English. Any official communication of government in this state may be
1released in additional languages when appropriate to the special circumstances of
2an individual case, the implementation of a program in a specific instance or the
3discharge of a responsibility in a particular situation.
AJR29, s. 2
4Section
2. Numbering of new section. The new section 25 of article I of the
5constitution, created in this joint resolution, shall be designated by the next higher
6open whole section number in that article if, prior to or simultaneously with the
7ratification by the people of the amendment proposed in this joint resolution, any
8other ratified amendment has created a section 25 of article I of the constitution of
9this state. If several ratified amendments simultaneously create a section 25 of
10article I, the chief of the legislative reference bureau shall determine the sequence
11and the numbering.
AJR29,2,14
12Be it further resolved, That this proposed amendment be referred to the
13legislature to be chosen at the next general election and that it be published for 3
14months previous to the time of holding such election.
