Wisconsin lawmakers consider bill to make English the state’s official language

Wisconsin lawmakers are moving forward with legislation that would designate English as the state’s official language, a move that could place Wisconsin among more than 30 states with similar laws. The bill has advanced through committee and now awaits a vote by the full Assembly before moving to the Senate and potentially to the governor’s desk. Supporters frame the legislation as a matter of unity and practical governance. The legislation has drawn criticism from those who work directly with non-English speaking populations, who argue the measure could create significant obstacles for community members seeking government services. Under the proposed law, the government could rely on artificial intelligence tools instead of live interpreters, raising concerns about accuracy and legal implications. Supporters of the legislation argue it could generate cost savings for taxpayers by reducing the need for multilingual government materials and services. The timing of a full Assembly vote remains uncertain, with the decision left to committee leadership. If the bill passes the Assembly, it would need approval from the Wisconsin Senate before reaching Governor Tony Evers.