86R10903 YDB-D
By: Hall S.B. No. 1616
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to designating English as the official language of this
state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
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. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE. The English language is
designated as the official language of this state.
Sec. 3101.052. TRANSLATION OR EXPLANATION OF OFFICIAL STATE
DOCUMENTS, MATERIALS, AND WEBSITE CONTENT. Notwithstanding any
other law, an unofficial and nonbinding translation or explanation
of an official state document, written material, or website content
may be provided or published separately 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 Section 2054.116, Government Code, is repealed.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, 2019.