LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 82ND LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 10, 2011

TO:	Honorable Byron Cook, Chair, House Committee on State Affairs
FROM:	John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB301 by Berman (Relating to the establishment of English as the official language of Texas and the requirement that official acts of government be performed in English.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Government Code to establish English as the official language of Texas and the language of official acts of government. The bill would prohibit the state, or any political subdivision of the state, from making a policy expressing a preference for any language other than English or diminishing the designated language of the state and require an elected or appointed officer of the state to take all reasonable steps to ensure preservation and enhancement of the official language of the state.

The bill would not: supersede federal law; prohibit the use of another language for the public safety, health, or justice; prohibit instruction in a foreign language; prohibit instruction designed to aid students with limited English proficiency; prohibit the promotion of international commerce; or, prohibit a court or administrative agency from admitting documents originally produced in another language into evidence for a proceeding or hearing.

The bill would prohibit the legislature, or a political subdivision of the state, from appropriating any money to promote the use, or demonstrate a preference for, any language other than the official language, except as provided for by other provisions of the bill.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 302 Office of the Attorney General, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 307 Secretary of State, 320 Texas Workforce Commission, 405 Department of Public Safety, 452 Department of Licensing and Regulation, 473 Public Utility Commission of Texas, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality, 701 Central Education Agency, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board

LBB Staff:

JOB, KJG, JI, KY, PJK