AB 2017: State holidays: Eid.
This bill would add two new state holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, to the list of state holidays. The holidays would be authorized for community colleges and public schools to close, but not designated as judicial holidays. The bill would also require schools to excuse pupils for observing these holidays, and state employees would be allowed to use vacation or annual leave time on these days. Additionally, the state would be required to reimburse local agencies and school districts for costs mandated by the bill.
| Sep. 27, 2026 | Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 571, Statutes of 2026. |
| Sep. 27, 2026 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep. 10, 2026 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. |
| Aug. 30, 2026 | Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 62. Noes 3. Page 6934.). |
| Aug. 30, 2026 | In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. |
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
(a) California is home to communities with diverse cultural traditions. The state has an interest in administering its public calendars, educational institutions, and workforce policies in a manner that reflects California’s population and provides equal access to public education, public employment, and civic life.SEC. 2.
Section 135 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read:135.
Every full day designated as a holiday by Section 6700 of the Government Code, including that Thursday of November declared by the President to be Thanksgiving Day, is a judicial holiday, except the date corresponding with the second new moon following the winter solstice, or the third new moon following the winter solstice should an intercalary month intervene, known as “Lunar New Year,” the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic lunar calendar, known as “Eid al-Fitr,” the 15th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar of each year, known as “Diwali,” April 24, known as “Genocide Remembrance Day,” the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar, known as “Eid al-Adha,” September 9, known as “Admission Day,” the second Monday in October, known as “Columbus Day,” and any other day appointed by the President, but not by the Governor, for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday. If a judicial holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the Judicial Council may designate an alternative day for observance of the holiday. Every Saturday and the day after Thanksgiving Day are judicial holidays. Officers and employees of the courts shall observe only the judicial holidays established pursuant to this section.SEC. 2.5.
Section 135 of the Code of Civil Procedure is amended to read:135.
Every full day designated as a holiday by Section 6700 of the Government Code, including that Thursday of November declared by the President to be Thanksgiving Day, is a judicial holiday, except the date corresponding with the second new moon following the winter solstice, or the third new moon following the winter solstice should an intercalary month intervene, known as “Lunar New Year,” the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic lunar calendar, known as “Eid al-Fitr,” the 15th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar of each year, known as “Diwali,” April 14, known as “Sylvia Mendez Day,” April 24, known as “Genocide Remembrance Day,” the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar, known as “Eid al-Adha,” September 9, known as “Admission Day,” the second Monday in October, known as “Columbus Day,” and any other day appointed by the President, but not by the Governor, for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday. If a judicial holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the Judicial Council may designate an alternative day for observance of the holiday. Every Saturday and the day after Thanksgiving Day are judicial holidays. Officers and employees of the courts shall observe only the judicial holidays established pursuant to this section.SEC. 3.
Section 37220.7 of the Education Code is amended to read:37220.7.
(a) In addition to the holidays prescribed in Section 37220, public schools may be closed on the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic lunar calendar, known as “Eid al-Fitr,” April 24, known as “Genocide Remembrance Day,” the 15th day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar of each year, known as “Diwali,” the 10th day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in the Islamic lunar calendar, known as “Eid al-Adha,” and the fourth Friday in September, known as “Native American Day,” if the governing board, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding reached pursuant to Chapter 10.7 (commencing with Section 3540) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code, agrees to close schools for that purpose.SEC. 4.
Section 45203 of the Education Code is amended to read:45203.
All probationary or permanent employees that are a part of the classified service shall be entitled to the following paid holidays provided they are in a paid status during any portion of the working day immediately preceding or succeeding the holiday: January 1, February 12 known as “Lincoln Day,” the third Monday in February known as “Washington Day,” the last Monday in May known as “Memorial Day,” July 4, the first Monday in September known as “Labor Day,” November 11 known as “Veterans Day,” that Thursday in November proclaimed by the President as “Thanksgiving Day,” December 25, every day appointed by the President, or the Governor of this state, as provided for in paragraphs (11) and (12) of subdivision (a) of Section 37220 for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday, or any day declared a holiday under Section 1318 or 37222 for classified or certificated employees. School recesses during the Christmas, Easter, and mid-February periods shall not be considered holidays for classified employees who are normally required to work during that period. However, this shall not be construed as affecting vacation rights specified in this section. For purposes of this section, “appointed by the President” includes the President signing into law legislation that creates a nationwide federal holiday, including the legal public holidays listed in subsection (a) of Section 6103 of Title 5 of the United States Code, but does not include Columbus Day. This definition is declaratory of existing law.SEC. 4.5.
Section 45203 of the Education Code is amended to read:45203.
All probationary or permanent employees that are a part of the classified service shall be entitled to the following paid holidays provided they are in a paid status during any portion of the working day immediately preceding or succeeding the holiday: January 1, February 12 known as “Lincoln Day,” the third Monday in February known as “Washington Day,” the last Monday in May known as “Memorial Day,” July 4, the first Monday in September known as “Labor Day,” November 11 known as “Veterans Day,” that Thursday in November proclaimed by the President as “Thanksgiving Day,” December 25, every day appointed by the President, or the Governor of this state, as provided for in paragraphs (11) and (12) of subdivision (a) of Section 37220 for a public fast, thanksgiving, or holiday, or any day declared a holiday under Section 1318 or 37222 for classified or certificated employees. School recesses during the Christmas, Easter, and mid-February periods shall not be considered holidays for classified employees who are normally required to work during that period. However, this shall not be construed as affecting vacation rights specified in this section. For purposes of this section, “appointed by the President” includes the President signing into law legislation that creates a nationwide federal holiday, including the legal public holidays listed in subsection (a) of Section 6103 of Title 5 of the United States Code, but does not include Columbus Day. This definition is declaratory of existing law.SEC. 5.
Section 79020 of the Education Code is amended to read:79020.
Except as otherwise provided, the community colleges shall continue in session or close on specified holidays as follows:SEC. 5.5.
Section 79020 of the Education Code is amended to read:79020.
Except as otherwise provided, the community colleges shall continue in session or close on specified holidays as follows:SEC. 6.
Section 88203 of the Education Code is amended to read:88203.
(a) (1) All probationary or permanent employees who are part of the classified service shall be entitled to the following paid holidays if they are in a paid status during any portion of the working day immediately preceding or succeeding the holiday:SEC. 6.5.
Section 88203 of the Education Code is amended to read:88203.
(a) (1) All probationary or permanent employees who are part of the classified service shall be entitled to the following paid holidays if they are in a paid status during any portion of the working day immediately preceding or succeeding the holiday:SEC. 7.
Section 6700 of the Government Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 7 of the Statutes of 2026, is amended to read:6700.
(a) The holidays in this state are:SEC. 7.1.
Section 6700 of the Government Code is amended to read:6700.
(a) The holidays in this state are:SEC. 7.2.
Section 6700 of the Government Code is amended to read:6700.
(a) The holidays in this state are:SEC. 7.3.
Section 6700 of the Government Code is amended to read:6700.
(a) The holidays in this state are:SEC. 8.
Section 19853 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.
(a) 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. 8.1.
Section 19853 of the Government Code is amended to read:19853.
(a) 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. 8.2.
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, 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. 8.3.
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. 9.
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. 9.1.
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. 9.2.
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. 9.3.
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. 10.
The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.SEC. 11.
Section 2.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 135 of the Code of Civil Procedure proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2294. 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 135 of the Code of Civil Procedure, and (3) this bill is enacted after Assembly Bill 2294, in which case Section 2 of this bill shall not become operative.SEC. 12.
Section 4.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 45203 of the Education Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1394. 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 45203 of the Education Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1394, in which case Section 4 of this bill shall not become operative.SEC. 13.
Section 5.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 79020 of the Education Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1394. 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 79020 of the Education Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1394, in which case Section 5 of this bill shall not become operative.SEC. 14.
Section 6.5 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 88203 of the Education Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1394. 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 88203 of the Education Code, and (3) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1394, in which case Section 6 of this bill shall not become operative.SEC. 15.
(a) Section 7.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 6700 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and Assembly Bill 2294. 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 6700 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 2294, in which case Sections 7, 7.2, and 7.3 of this bill shall not become operative.SEC. 16.
(a) Section 8.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 19853 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1394. 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) Assembly Bill 1841 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1394, in which case Sections 8, 8.2, and 8.3 of this bill shall not become operative.SEC. 17.
(a) Section 9.1 of this bill incorporates amendments to Section 19853.1 of the Government Code proposed by both this bill and Senate Bill 1394. 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) Assembly Bill 1841 is not enacted or as enacted does not amend that section, and (4) this bill is enacted after Senate Bill 1394, in which case Sections 9, 9.2, and 9.3 of this bill shall not become operative.