SB238 Summary

• Proposes an amendment to Amendment 509 of the Alabama Constitution to establish that English shall be the language of all official proceedings in the state.

• Defines "official proceeding" as any meeting of a public governmental body where public business is discussed, decided, or public policy formulated, whether conducted in person or by electronic communication including conference calls, video conferences, and internet-based communications.

• Excludes informal gatherings of governmental body members for ministerial or social purposes from the definition of official proceedings.

• Grants standing to sue to any Alabama resident or person doing business in the state to enforce the amendment, with state courts of record having jurisdiction to hear such cases.

• Requires the Legislature to enforce the amendment through appropriate legislation while preserving and enhancing English's role as the common language of Alabama.