Georgia Legislative Watch

On a vote of 103 to 61, the Georgia House of Representatives failed to give House Resolution 413 the two-thirds majority needed for passage. H.R.413 is a proposed amendment to Georgia’s Constitution that would make English the official language of the state and prohibit any language other than English to be used in the official transaction of government business.

Republican state Rep. Timothy Bearden of Villa Rica introduced the legislation citing polls that said 85% of Americans and 77% of Hispanics believe English should be the official language of this government.

“We’re not trying to prohibit any other languages,” Bearden said.

State Rep. Pedro Marin (D – Duluth) addressed the House in both English and Spanish saying, “The proficiency to speak English should not be a deterrent for those wanting to interact with government.”

Speaking in Spanish, Marin concluded his remarks saying “I too am an American.”

H.R.413 fell 17 votes short of the 120 votes needed for passage. However, immediately after the vote was taken, Rep. Timothy Bearden served notice that he would ask the House to reconsider its actions on the bill.

The motion to reconsider is essentially a vote to re-vote and gives legislators the opportunity to attempt to change the minds of their colleagues.