HB 305 — Designating English as the official language of this sta

90R2703 LRM-D By: Olcott H.B. No. 305 relating to designating English as the official language of this state.

SECTION 1. The legislature finds and declares: (1) English is the language of commerce around the world; (2) many corporations select English as the official corporate language or emphasize the use of English for corporate purposes; and (3) knowledge of English assists individuals who are assimilating into the United States.

SECTION 2. The heading to Chapter 3101, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: CHAPTER 3101. STATE SYMBOLS AND LANGUAGE

SECTION 3. Chapter 3101, Government Code, is amended by designating Sections 3101.001 through 3101.013 as Subchapter A and adding a subchapter heading to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER A. STATE SYMBOLS

SECTION 4. Chapter 3101, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter B to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER B. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Sec. 3101.051. DEFINITION. In this section, "state agency" means: (1) a board, commission, department, office, or other entity that is in the executive branch of state government and that was created by the constitution or a statute of this state, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; (2) the legislature or a legislative agency; or (3) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals, the state bar, or another state judicial agency. Sec. 3101.052. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE. The English language is designated as the official language of this state. Sec. 3101.053. INFORMATION IN ENGLISH; TRANSLATION OR EXPLANATION OF OFFICIAL STATE DOCUMENTS, MATERIALS, AND WEBSITE CONTENT. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, a state agency is not required to provide any document or other written material or publish information on an agency's Internet website in a language other than English. (b) A state agency may separately provide or publish an unofficial and nonbinding translation or explanation of an official state document, written material, or website content in a language other than the official language of this state only if the translation or explanation: (1) is made and distributed without cost to this state; (2) is appropriately labeled as unofficial and nonbinding; and (3) states the actions required to obtain or view the official state document, written material, or website content.

SECTION 5. Section 2054.116, Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.