AB 1841: State holidays: Native American Day.
This bill would establish a state holiday on the 4th Friday in September, known as Native American Day, allowing state employees to take the day off with pay. The holiday would be subject to the department of human resources' determination that sufficient funds exist. State employees would be entitled to the holiday, and bargaining units could negotiate for a paid holiday. The existing law that allows employees to elect to use a personal holiday credit on the 4th Friday in September would be replaced by this new holiday.
| Sep. 25, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 447, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep. 25, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep. 14, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 1:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 31, 2026 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 7034.). |
| Aug. 31, 2026 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
| Enrolled September 04, 2026 |
| Passed IN Senate August 31, 2026 |
| Passed IN Assembly August 31, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate August 28, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate August 21, 2026 |
| Amended IN Senate August 18, 2026 |
| Introduced by Assembly Member Ramos (Coauthors: Assembly Members Ahrens, Hadwick, Jackson, Ortega, and Zbur) |
February 11, 2026 |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Section 19853 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.
(a) (1) All state employees shall be entitled to the following holidays: January 1, the third Monday in January, the third Monday in February, March 31, the last Monday in May, July 4, the first Monday in September, November 11, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, December 25, the day chosen by an employee pursuant to Section 19854, and every day appointed by the Governor of this state for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday.SEC. 1.1.
Section 19853 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.
(a) (1) All state employees shall be entitled to the following holidays: January 1, the third Monday in January, the third Monday in February, March 31, the last Monday in May, July 4, the first Monday in September, November 11, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, December 25, the day chosen by an employee pursuant to Section 19854, and every day appointed by the Governor of this state for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday.SEC. 1.2.
Section 19853 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.
(a) (1) All state employees shall be entitled to the following holidays: January 1, the third Monday in January, the third Monday in February, April 10, the last Monday in May, July 4, the first Monday in September, November 11, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, December 25, the day chosen by an employee pursuant to Section 19854, and every day appointed by the Governor of this state for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday.SEC. 1.3.
Section 19853 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.
(a) (1) All state employees shall be entitled to the following holidays: January 1, the third Monday in January, the third Monday in February, April 10, the last Monday in May, July 4, the first Monday in September, November 11, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, December 25, the day chosen by an employee pursuant to Section 19854, and every day appointed by the Governor of this state for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday.SEC. 2.
Section 19853.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.1.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 19853, this section shall apply to state employees in State Bargaining Unit 5.SEC. 2.1.
Section 19853.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.1.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 19853, this section shall apply to state employees in State Bargaining Unit 5.SEC. 2.2.
Section 19853.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.1.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 19853, this section shall apply to state employees in State Bargaining Unit 5.SEC. 2.3.
Section 19853.1 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.1.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 19853, this section shall apply to state employees in State Bargaining Unit 5.SEC. 3.
Section 19853.3 is added to the Government Code, to read:19853.3.
Notwithstanding any other law, any state bargaining unit may negotiate, as part of their memorandum of understanding, to receive the fourth Friday in September, known as “Native American Day,” as a paid holiday.SEC. 4.
(a) Section 1.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 19853 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2017. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2027, (2) each bill amends Section 19853 of the Government Code, (3) Senate Bill 1394 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2017, in which case Sections 1, 1.2, and 1.3 of this bill shall not become operative.SEC. 5.
(a) Section 2.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 19853.1 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2017. That section of this bill shall only become operative if (1) both bills are enacted and become effective on or before January 1, 2027, (2) each bill amends Section 19853.1 of the Government Code, (3) Senate Bill 1394 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2017, in which case Sections 2, 2.2, and 2.3 of this bill shall not become operative.