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PHOENIX — State representatives voted Monday to bar schools from requiring teachers to speak anything other than English.

They also agreed to ask Arizonans to once again declare English the official language of the state.

Proponents of both measures say they're designed to recognize English already is the language of Arizona and make that fact part of public policy.

Rep. Chuck Gray, R-Mesa, said his plan to restrict school hiring practices goes a step further. It ensures applicants for teaching jobs who don't speak a foreign language are not blocked from employment.

"We're in an English-speaking country, we're in an English-speaking state," he said. "The (teaching) materials are in English."

The preliminary vote on Gray's proposal came over the objections of several legislators.

"If it's going to be dealt with, it should be dealt with on the local level," said Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, who also serves on the board of the Cartwright Elementary School District. "There's a reason we elect school board members throughout the state."

But Gray said the state is responsible for ensuring that students get educated. He said lawmakers are entitled to have uniform hiring requirements "so a teacher can move from district to district without worrying" about being denied a job because he or she doesn't speak a foreign language."

School districts could still say they prefer someone who speaks another language. But it would spell out that, except when hiring foreign-language teachers, schools cannot refuse to hire those whose only language is English.

Rep. Gary Pierce, R-Mesa, said that is in the best interests of students. "Do we want the best teacher in science or math or economics?" he asked. "Or do we want to sacrifice that, sacrifice competency, by requiring they be bilingual when, in fact, they don't really have to teach in a second or other language?"

The second bill, to amend the state constitution to declare English the official language, is similar to one approved by voters in 1988. But the state Supreme Court blocked its enforcement, saying it violated federal constitutional rights.

The new version allows government employees, including legislators, to communicate "unofficially" with people in any language, including writing a letter, even on official stationery.

Rep. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, said, "Official English promotes unity, official English empowers immigrants, official English is common-sense government. We speak English; we ought to promote it."

But Rep. Pete Rios, D-Dudleyville, called the latest incarnation unnecessary, as everyone knows that state business is conducted in English.

Rios, who filed the suit blocking the 1988 law, said legal problems remain with the revised version.

Both measures require a final roll-call vote before going to the Senate. Official English would also have to be ratified by voters in November.