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WI SB295
WI SB295The use of artificial intelligence or other machine assisted translation in court proceedings and of telephone or live audiovisual interpretation in criminal trials. (FE)
summary
Introduced
05/30/2025
05/30/2025
In Committee
05/30/2025
05/30/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under this bill, a court may allow the use of artificial intelligence or other machine assisted translation in civil or criminal proceedings, certain municipal proceedings, and administrative contested case proceedings. Under current law, on request of any party, the court may permit an interpreter to act in any criminal proceeding, other than trial, by telephone or live audiovisual means. The bill allows an interpreter to act by telephone or live audiovisual means in a criminal trial in addition to other types of proceedings. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill expands the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-assisted translation in various legal proceedings in Wisconsin. Specifically, the bill allows courts to use AI or machine translation in civil proceedings, municipal courts, administrative hearings, and criminal trials, either as a supplement to or replacement for human interpreters. The legislation removes the previous restriction that prevented interpreters from participating in criminal trials via telephone or live audiovisual means, thus allowing remote interpretation in these settings. The bill also clarifies that using AI or machine translation does not require special waivers in these contexts, which suggests an intent to make language assistance more flexible and accessible in legal settings. By broadening the options for translation and interpretation, the bill aims to potentially reduce costs, increase efficiency, and improve language access in court proceedings, while giving judges discretion in how they implement these new translation technologies.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (23)
Julian Bradley (R)*,
Chris Kapenga (R)*,
Scott Allen (R),
David Armstrong (R),
Elijah Behnke (R),
Lindee Brill (R),
Barbara Dittrich (R),
Robert Donovan (R),
Rick Gundrum (R),
Nate Gustafson (R),
Dean Kaufert (R),
Joel Kitchens (R),
Dan Knodl (R),
Rob Kreibich (R),
Dave Maxey (R),
Paul Melotik (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jeff Mursau (R),
Adam Neylon (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
William Penterman (R),
Jim Piwowarczyk (R),
Chuck Wichgers (R),
Last Action
Read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety (on 05/30/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/sb295 |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB295.pdf |
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