AB 377 — Relating to: establishing English as the official state language, use of artificial intelligence or other machine-assisted translation tools in lieu of appointing English language interpreters, and use of English for governmental oral and written communication and for nongovernmental purposes. (FE)

- 2026 LEGISLATURE LRBa0555/1LRB-2578/1 MPG:cdcMPG&KRP:ajk&skw ASSEMBLY AMENDMENT 1, TO ASSEMBLY BILL 377 OctoberJuly 30,17, 2025 - OfferedIntroduced by RepresentatURPHY.Representatives M URPHY , B EHNKE , BROOKS , GUNDRUM , KREIBICH, MAXEY and O'CONNOR , cosponsored by SenatorACQUE and NASS.

AtReferred theto locationsCommittee indicated,on amendScience, theTechnology, billand asAI. follows:

A N A CT to amend 885.37 (1), 885.37 (3) (b) and 885.38 (3) (a) (intro.);

to create 1.101 of the statutes;

relating to:

establishing English as the official state language, use of artificial intelligence or other machine-assisted translation tools in lieu of appointing English language interpreters, and use of English for governmental oral and written communication and for nongovernmental purposes.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau Currently, Wisconsin has no official language.

This bill provides that the official language of this state is English.

The bill also allows any state or local governmental entity to provide a person with access to artificial intelligence or other machine-assisted translation tools in lieu of appointing an English language interpreter if the entity is authorized or required by law to appoint an interpreter for the person.

Additionally, the bill provides that, unless otherwise specifically required by law, all oral and written communication by all state and local governmental entities must be in the English language, except that such communication may be in another language when appropriate to the circumstances of an individual case, the - 2026 Legislature - 2 - LRB-2578/1 MPG&KRP:ajk&skw ASSEMBLY BILL 377 SECTION 1 implementation of a program in a specific instance, or the discharge of a responsibility in a particular situationThe bill also permits state and local government officers and employees to use a language other than English in oral or written communication whenever necessary for one or more of eight specified purposes.

Finally, the bill precludes any state or local governmental entity from prohibiting any person from becoming proficient in any language or restricting the oral or written use of any language for a nongovernmental purpose.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

1.101 of the statutes is created to read:

1.101 Official state language;

use of English in government operations.

(1) DEFINITIONS.

In this section:

(a) “Local governmental unit” means a political subdivision, a special purpose district, an agency or corporation of a political subdivision or special purpose district, a school district, or a combination or subunit of any of the foregoing, in this state.

(b) “Political subdivision” means a city, village, town, or county.

(c) “State agency” means an association, authority, board, department, commission, independent agency, institution, office, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law.

(2) E STABLISHING ENGLISH AS THE OFFICIAL STATE LANGUAGE .

The official language of this state is English.

(3) A LTERNATIVES TO APPOINTMENT OF INTERPRETERS .

If a state agency or local governmental unit is authorized or required by law to appoint an English - 2026 Legislature - 3 - LRB-2578/1 MPG&KRP:ajk&skw ASSEMBLY BILL 377 SECTION 1 language interpreter for a person, the state agency or local governmental unit may, in lieu of appointing an interpreter, provide the person with access to artificial intelligence or other machine-assisted translation tools.

(4) USE OF ENGLISH IN GOVERNMENTAL ORAL AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATION .

(a) Unless otherwise specifically authorized or required by law and except as authorized in par.

(b), all oral and written communication by all state agencies and local governmental units shall be in the English language, except that such communication may be in another language when appropriate to the circumstances of an individual case, the implementation of a program in a specific instance, or the discharge of a responsibility in a particular situation.

(b) An officer or employee of a state agency or local governmental unit may use a language other than English in oral or written communication whenever necessary for any of the following purposes:

PageTo 3,protect linethe 6:health, safety, or liberty of any citizen.

delete Xauthorized in par.

(b)Y and substitute Xprovided in pars.

(b) and (c)Y.

PageTo 4,teach lineor 2:study another language.

after that line insert:

X(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a hospital, as defined in s.

50.065 (1) (cm).Y.

PageTo 5,protect linethe 15:rights of a criminal defendant or victim of a crime.

after4. X(3)Y insert Xif the person is not a defendant accused of a violent crime, as defined in s.