HB 305
Olcott English Bill Limits State Translations To Free Ones
Filed
Verdict: Smells
Why it's charged
Caption mismatch
The caption only promises to designate English as the official language. The body also limits agency translations to ones made at no cost to the state, overrides other translation laws, and repeals an unnamed Government Code section, none of which the caption mentions. These limits fit the official-language theme, so confidence stays moderate.
Caption mismatchInitial review · graded Nov 9, 2026 · How we grade
Caption
relating to designating English as the official language of this state.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
Caption: official language. Bill: agencies translate only “without cost” to the state, labeled unofficial.
The bill names English the official language of Texas and adds that designation to the chapter of state law that lists state symbols. It covers every executive agency, public college, the Legislature and the state courts, and it says none of them has to publish documents or website content in any other language, notwithstanding any other state law. Agencies may still offer translations only if they cost the state nothing and are labeled unofficial and nonbinding, and the bill repeals Section 2054.116, Government Code, starting September 1, 2027.
Receipt
The receipt
90R-HB305 · 2026-11-09
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to designating English as the official language of this state.
WHAT IT DOES
Caption: official language. Bill: agencies translate only “without cost” to the state, labeled unofficial.
The bill names English the official language of Texas and adds that designation to the chapter of state law that lists state symbols. It covers every executive agency, public college, the Legislature and the state courts, and it says none of them has to publish documents or website content in any other language, notwithstanding any other state law. Agencies may still offer translations only if they cost the state nothing and are labeled unofficial and nonbinding, and the bill repeals Section 2054.116, Government Code, starting September 1, 2027.
CHARGES
[x] CAPTION MISMATCHanalysis confidence 50%
The caption only promises to designate English as the official language. The body also limits agency translations to ones made at no cost to the state, overrides other translation laws, and repeals an unnamed Government Code section, none of which the caption mentions. These limits fit the official-language theme, so confidence stays moderate.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
FILED UNDER
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by a super-expensive superintelligence, Nov 9, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Nov 9, 2026
11/09/2026 H Filed
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Nov 10, 2026 at 2:32 AM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Subjects
Human Relations
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Text
The text as introduced · 404 words
90R2703 LRM-D By: Olcott H.B. No. 305 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. 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.