Senate Bill 357 establishes English as the official language of Wisconsin and outlines the use of artificial intelligence or machine-assisted translation tools as alternatives to appointing English language interpreters in state and local governmental entities. The bill mandates that all oral and written communications by these entities must primarily be in English, with exceptions allowed for specific circumstances, such as individual cases or program implementations. Additionally, it permits government officials to use other languages for certain purposes, including protecting citizens' rights and promoting trade.

The bill also includes amendments to existing statutes regarding the provision of interpreters in municipal courts and administrative contested case proceedings. It clarifies that if a person has language difficulties, the court or agency must determine if an interpreter is necessary and inform the individual of their right to one, while also allowing for the use of machine-assisted translation tools as an alternative. The amendments replace terms like "individual" with "person" and ensure that the right to an interpreter is maintained unless otherwise specified. Overall, the bill aims to streamline communication in government operations while respecting individuals' rights to language proficiency.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 885.37(1), 885.37, 885.37(3)(b), 885.38(3)(a)(intro.), 885.38