Assembly Bill 377 proposes to establish 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. The bill mandates that all oral and written communication by state and local governmental entities must be conducted in English, with exceptions made for specific circumstances or responsibilities. Additionally, it allows government officials to use languages other than English for certain purposes, such as protecting citizens' rights or promoting trade.

The bill also includes amendments to existing statutes regarding the provision of interpreters in municipal courts and administrative contested case proceedings. It specifies that if a person has a language difficulty or impairment, the court or agency must determine if an interpreter is necessary and inform the individual of their right to one, except in cases where machine-assisted translation tools are provided. The amendments replace terms like "individual" with "person" and clarify the conditions under which interpreters are provided, ensuring that individuals are aware of their rights in these legal contexts.

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