H.B. 309 Juneteenth Observance Amendments

What this bill does

This bill would change the state's Juneteenth holiday so it is observed on June 19, the same day as the federal holiday. Under current state law, the state holiday can be observed on a nearby Monday or Friday instead.

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Every vote

• 9 yes, 0 no, 1 absentHouse Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee: vote to change the bill · Jan 30, 2026Who voted how
• 9 yes, 0 no, 1 absentHouse Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee: vote to approve it · Jan 30, 2026Who voted how
• 71 yes, 0 no, 4 absentFinal House vote · Feb 10, 2026
• 7 yes, 0 noSenate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee: vote to approve it · Feb 17, 2026Who voted how
• 7 yes, 0 noSenate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee: Consent Calendar Recommendation · Feb 17, 2026Who voted how
• 24 yes, 0 no, 5 absentFirst of two Senate votes · Feb 26, 2026
• 23 yes, 3 no, 3 absentFinal Senate vote · Feb 27, 2026

Hearings and debates

• Jan 27, 2026 House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee
• Jan 30, 2026 House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (29 turns)

  1. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:26:16

     Our last item on the agenda is HB 3 0 9. Uh, Juneteenth observance amendments. We thank you for your patience. Represent Hols. Oh, it's good to have here. Thank You. All.

  2. Rep. Sandra Hollins2:26:28

     Good evening. Back in 20, I believe it was 2021, um, the federal government passed legislation making juneteenth an official federal holiday. I ran legislation making it a state holiday. It passed, and, but when it got into the Senate, there was an amendment done on it that, um, that it did not align with the federal holiday. Um, it fell on either that Friday or that Monday. Little did I know it was going to cause mass confusion, um, um, in the state. Um, and there are some people that don't know when to celebrate it. There are some people, businesses are closed on a federal, some that has closed on the state holiday. And so it has created a lot of confusion. So this is my attempt to right that wrong. Um, it, last year it passed out. Believe it was this committee, it passed out, but then it didn't pass out of the, uh, on the Senate side. It didn't make it through the Senate side. And so I am here once again asking you all, um, um, to vote on this favorably on this to make it one holiday instead of having two separate holidays. And that's my presentation.

  3. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:27:39

     Thank you. Okay. We'll bring it back to the committee for questions. Uh, Representative Shelley. There we go.

  4. Rep. Tiara Auxier2:27:48

     There we go. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, so would, would this create a new state holiday?

  5. Rep. Sandra Hollins2:27:56

     It would not just do not create a new state holiday. The holiday is already there. The issue is it's different from the federal holiday. And so it will be celebrated on the same day with the federal holiday instead of having two different days off.

  6. Rep. Troy Shelley2:28:12

     And that would be the Tuesday following?

  7. Rep. Sandra Hollins2:28:15

     It would be June the 19th. And if it falls on a Sunday, it will be that Monday. And if it falls on a Saturday, it'll that Friday. Okay.

  8. Rep. Troy Shelley2:28:23

     Thank you. And the court, it's the same as the federal. Thank you. Mm-hmm.

  9. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:28:27

     Thank you, representative. Um, further discussion, Representative Owens.

  10. Rep. Doug Owens2:28:32

      My question was answered. Okay. Thank you. All right.

  11. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:28:36

      Seeing no other lights, we'll open it to public. Anyone from the public Ashton Court, Ashton will go online. There's no one in the room. So court, if you will, um, come on camera and unmute your microphone.

  12. Cort Ashton, resident2:29:04

      Look. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Court ton. I'm a resident of Huntsville, Utah. I am also the legislative chairman for the Utah Land Title Association. Uh, thank you, uh, to the representative for your efforts to try to, uh, get this fixed. Here's the, the challenge we have is if you do business with, uh, the banking system and you do business with state government and county governments, you could end up with either one of, of two different days on the way the current, uh, legislation reads. And, uh, and for us, we have the, we have, uh, we've watched the state government choose this model of, of having it on. Uh, um, and, and so we'll have some weeks, uh, and where it falls on a Wednesday, the federal government will celebrate it on a Wednesday. The banking system will shut down on a Wednesday, and then later that week, we'll have the pleasure of telling our clients and customers that we can't record their documents, or we can't get a payoff from the state office because the state offices are closed. And the county offices typically follow those Lowe State offices. So, uh, so we appreciate this. It will, will it, it, it's a help to things done as we try to interact and, and make things happen in real estate. Thank, Thank you.

  13. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:30:34

      Oh, okay. We'll go ahead and close public comment and bring it back to the committee.

  14. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:30:40

      Representative Owen? Yes.

  15. Rep. Doug Owens2:30:43

      Motion to pass with a favorable recommendation to the, oh, uh, motion to adopt first sub.

  16. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:30:48

      Yes. Yeah, I like that motion.

  17. Rep. Doug Owens2:30:50

      Um, motion is to adopt first substitute, um, HB 3 0 9, uh, discussion to that motion.

  18. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:30:59

      Okay. We'll go to the sponsor I waive. Okay. Um, and then back to the maker of the motion waive. Okay. The motion before us is to adopt first substitute HB 3 0 9. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Um, the first substitute is before US Representative Owens Motion to adopt, uh, HB 3 0 9 sub one with a favorable recommendation to the full house. Okay. So that motion is to favorably recommend first substitute HB 3 0 9, um, discussion to that motion saying none to the sponsor.

  19. Rep. Paul A. Cutler2:31:37

      Um, I just wanna say this is my last time presenting to you all as a state legislator, so thank you.

  20. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:31:43

      Wow. We're gonna miss you, Representative Cutler. You will be missed. Thank you. Yeah. Thank you.

  21. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:31:55

      Uh, Representative Hansen.

  22. Rep. Leah Hansen2:31:57speaker not certain

      I think it's just sad that you, that I don't get to have more of an opportunity to, to work with her, but I just think she looks incredibly regal today. Yeah.

  23. Rep. Paul A. Cutler2:32:07speaker not certain

      Yeah, it's True. Um, just for you all, Uh, thank you.

  24. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:32:15

      Um, no more lights. So we'll go back to the maker of the motion.

  25. Unknown speaker2:32:19speaker not certain

      It makes eminent good sense. Yeah.

  26. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:32:21

      Um, so the, the, uh, the motion before us is to favorably recommend first substitute HB 3 0 9 Juneteenth observance amendments. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that passes unanimously. Thank you.

  27. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:32:39

      Thank you representative. We'll go with one final motion.

  28. Rep. Doug Owens2:32:43speaker not certain

      Motion to adjourn. Motion to adjourn. All in favor say aye.

  29. Rep. Jon Hawkins (chair)2:32:47

      Aye. Any opposed? No, we are adjourned. Uh.

• Feb 10, 2026 House floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (18 turns)

  1. Meeting clerk56:46

     for its consideration matter. Meeting clerk First substitute house bill 3 0 9 Juneteenth observance amendments by Representative Hollins. This bill was heard in Economic Development and Workforce Services with the vote of 9 0 1 Representative Hollins.

  2. Rep. Sandra Hollins57:00

     Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In 2022, um, this body passed a piece of legislation recognized in Juneteenth as a state holiday when this piece of legislation Uintah the Senate, the Senate decided to amend the bill to state that we will celebrate Juneteenth on the, on, on a Friday or either Monday, which is separate from the federal holiday. So what this has done, it is caused, it is causing a lot of confusion and disruption with businesses and families in the state of Utah. So what I am asking is to bring this, the state holiday back in alignment with the federal holiday. This bill do not create a holiday. The holiday has already been created. The only thing I'm asking this body to do is to bring it back in line, um, with the federal holiday so we won't have two different celebrations in the state of Utah. With that, I'm open to questions.

  3. Speaker (presiding)58:01

     Thank you Representative Hollins discussion to the bill Representative Maloy.

  4. Rep. A. Cory Maloy58:06

     Mr. Speaker, the, uh, will the sponsor yield to a question? Representative Hollins, will you yield to a question?

  5. Rep. Sandra Hollins58:13

     Yes, yes. Representative Maloy,

  6. Rep. A. Cory Maloy58:14

     When is, uh, what would be the date of that federal holiday that this would align with?

  7. Rep. Sandra Hollins58:21

     It will be June the 19th. June 19th, okay. Yes.

  8. Rep. A. Cory Maloy58:26

     Juneteenth. Thank you Mr. Speaker.

  9. Speaker (presiding)58:34

     Thank you Representative Maloy further discussion to the bill Representative Boxier.

  10. Unknown speaker58:38speaker not certain

      Thank you Mr. Speaker. I seem to remember a bill similar to this last year, um, and I'm just wondering, is this the same exact bill or if there are any changes what they are? Would you representative? Oh, I'm Collins. Will you yield two questions? Yes, yes. Go ahead. Ask that question again. Representative. Thank you. Um, Mr. Speaker, I seem to remember this bill, um, or something similar last year being run, and I'm just wondering, is this the same exact bill or, um, if and what any changes there are?

  11. Rep. Sandra Hollins59:09

      Yes, Mr. Speaker, there is no changes, is the exact same bill from last year.

  12. Speaker (presiding)59:14

      Alright, thank you. Thank you Representative Voxer. Further discussion to the bill representative Mike Peterson.

  13. Rep. Michael J. Petersen59:22

      Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If I could just make a, a, well, lemme ask a quick, may I ask a question? Representative Hollins, will you yield to a question? Yes, yes. Representative Peterson. So if I understand it correctly, uh, the holiday could fall on a weekend, sometimes on a Saturday and Sunday, is that correct? Yes, it

  14. Rep. Sandra Hollins59:40

      Could.

  15. Rep. Michael J. Petersen59:42

      So in my guesstimation, this would actually cost businesses and the community less financially because sometimes it won't 'cause because it won't always fall on a, on a regular workday. So for folks who are wondering if, you know, we, we, we, uh, looked at a bill this last week on election day and, and there was concern about the cost. Well, this makes it even celebrating this holiday cost even less. I would just point that out. So thank you.

  16. Speaker (presiding)1:00:10

      Thank you, Representative Peterson. Discussion to the bill. Seeing none back to Representative Hollins for summation.

  17. Rep. Sandra Hollins1:00:18

      Um, I, I waive. Thank you.

  18. Speaker (presiding)1:00:20

      Motion has been waived. Voting will now be open on first substitute HP 3 0 9, seeing our present time voting. Voting is now closed. HB first substitute HB 3 0 9 passes this body with 71 yes votes zero, no bolts and will be sent to the Senate for its consideration. Madam Reading Clerk

• Feb 17, 2026 Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee▶ Watch
  Transcript (15 turns)

  1. Chair Winterton (presiding)2:00:52

     First substitute house bill 3 0 9 Juneteenth. Observe this amendment.

  2. Rep. Sandra Hollins2:00:58

     Representative Hall, catch your breath and tell us, I Have never ran so fast in a pair of heels before in my life. Thank you all for taking the time to hear this bill. Emotional love. She's very passionate about this. I'm so passionate about this bill. So in, um, 20, I believe it was 2022, this body passed legislation making juneteenth the holiday in line with the federal holiday. The bill was amended and it made it two separate holidays. So we have a state holiday and we have a federal holiday. It has caused mass confusion, um, in businesses with families and with our banking system. So what this bill proposed to do is to bring them back to one holiday in line with the day that the federal government celebrates it. So there will no longer be two different holidays. It would be one holiday, and that's all the bill does. We don't do reasonable here.

  3. Chair Winterton (presiding)2:02:05

     Okay. Any questions for her? All right, let's go to the public for public comment on that. Oh, we've got one that's waited us out.

  4. Charles Evans, Utah Land Title Association2:02:21

     Thank you. I'm Charles Evans with the Utah Land Title Association. We are supporting this bill, uh, for the simple reason that when we are in doing business, we need the banks and local government to be open. Um, when you have a separate federal holiday, the banks are closed, but local government's open and vice versa when you have a state holiday. And so when you have two separate holidays, we are closed for two days. Uh, unable to do business. So aligning these, we'll make it so that we have one holiday and can be open for business on the other.

  5. Chair Winterton (presiding)2:02:54

     Alright. Thank you. What makes sense? No, we can't have a sensible people. That's doesn't make sense what we do here. Okay. We'll close public comment. Come back to the committee for further discussion or consideration or action. Senator ml.

  6. Sen. Michael K. McKell2:03:13

     Thank you. I move that we favorably recommend House Bill 3 0 9 Juneteenth Observation amendments. First substitute. First sub. Okay. All right.

  7. Chair Winterton (presiding)2:03:20

     Discussion to the motion, back to the sponsor for summation, I Waive Back to the

  8. Rep. Sandra Hollins2:03:26speaker not certain

     I'm, I'm not gonna waive, I'm just gonna say that this is a great bill and after we vote on this, I think this is when we should put on consent. It'll still help. Okay. It'll still help.

  9. Chair Winterton (presiding)2:03:38

     Well, let's take one. The first one's first, uh, favorably Recommend first substitute house bill 3 0 9. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Is sandal still on? Okay. Did he show you up then? Uh, Senator Sandall, what was your vote? Would you, would you repeat the motion for me?

  10. Unknown speaker2:04:01speaker not certain

      Uh, to favorably recommend first substitute house bill 3 0 9.

  11. Chair Winterton (presiding)2:04:05

      Okay. I, okay. That is unanimous. Then now we will entertain your second motion. Yep.

  12. Sen. Michael K. McKell2:04:13

      I, I move that we put this house bill 3 0 9 first up on the consent calendar.

  13. Chair Winterton (presiding)2:04:18

      All right. That's in order. All those in favor of that motion. Do you want it on the consent first? Yes, sir. Okay. All right. All those in favor of putting it on the consent, say aye. Aye. Aye, Aye. Okay. That is unanimous.

  14. Chair Winterton (presiding)2:04:33

      Senator Bus, what you've been waiting for all time. One last motion. Motion to adjourn. We are adjourn. Thank you.

  15. Unknown speaker2:04:44speaker not certain

      She goes.

• Feb 26, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (19 turns)

  1. Rep. Sandra Hollins54:27

     of Juneteenth, which the state decided to recognize a few years ago. We, in fact, we decided to recognize it prior to federal recognition. And so when the state decided to recognize it, we indicated that it would either be on June 19th or on the Monday or Friday closest to June 19th, so that it would, lemme rephrase that. It'd be on June 19th if June 19th happened to fall on a Monday or Friday. If not, then it would be the Monday or Friday closest to June 19th to ensure that we had a three day weekend. Then the Feds decide to recognize it exactly on June 19th. And what that's caused now is we have a state holiday potentially on one day and a federal holiday, potentially on another day. And it kind of creates some confusion. So this bill just aligns us with the federal recognition of Juneteenth. But I do have a floor amendment Motion to amend. I'd like to also add that we recognize Halloween on the last Friday of October. I'm just kidding. For those that, for those that don't know, we had a big debate on that last year and it didn't end well couple years ago. Okay. Does that conclude? Am I not seeing a lot of love for that? Okay. Does that conclude your presentation? Okay. That concludes my presentation for the bill. Yeah. Uh, Senator Stratton.

  2. Sen. Keven J. Stratton55:45

     Thank you Mr. Spear. Uh, president Pro temp. So may, will the sponsor yield The sponsor yield?

  3. Presiding officer (Senate)55:52

     Yes. Sponsors yielded.

  4. Sen. Keven J. Stratton55:55

     So currently we have two holidays being celebrated in the state in the same week. That's I I heard, is that correct?

  5. Rep. Sandra Hollins56:04

     That's the potential, yes. I can't find out The potential. Uh, we, That happened this past year, Sorry, past year and, and, and we have potentially again this year.

  6. Sen. Keven J. Stratton56:16

     So what we're doing here is we're freeing up one unused holiday each year by doing this. Is that correct? Potentially grab

  7. Rep. Sandra Hollins56:25speaker not certain

     The thing off my desk and See what number Yes.

  8. Rep. Sandra Hollins56:27

     Except, except I don't think the state employees have to recognize the federal holiday. And so we have a day where the state employees have off and then potentially the next day where banks and post offices and that are closed too. And so that's, that's where there's some confusion is usually our holidays align with the federal holidays.

  9. Sen. Keven J. Stratton56:49

     Thank you. My, my point is, I, I have had actually had a couple, uh, some communication on this impact of, of some having to close two days in a week. And so I thought maybe we, we had a, a duplicate and we are freeing up a state holiday for us with this bill. So thank you. Appreciate, but I support it. Thank you. Okay.

  10. Unknown speaker57:15speaker not certain

      Thank you. Um, Senator, I, I will say, I think that Utah did it right, making a three day weekend. It often coordinated with Father's Day. Um, the federal government should have followed our lead, but because they didn't, it has created the confusion that you outlined, but also for divorced parents. When it says that the other parent gets, um, Juneteenth, they don't know if it's the state holiday and the, or the federal holiday. So it's created a lot of contention among divorced parents. So I think that your bill will resolve that. So, um, okay.

  11. Presiding officer (Senate)57:48

      Uh, Senator, I don't see anybody else up on the bill

  12. Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore57:51

      With that, my motion is that we read for a third time. First, first substitute house bill 3 0 9.

  13. Presiding officer (Senate)57:58

      Thank you. The question is, shall first substitute House bill 3 0 9? Be read for a third time. Roll call vote.

  14. Senate clerk58:04

      Senator Spery Aye. Lewin Aye. Brammer Aye. Bus Fillmore Aye. Escamilla Aye. Fillmore Grover Harper Hankins Ipson Johnson. Juab McKay. Conversation. Aye. Mikel Milner, muscle man Owens the chair. Pitcher Plum Rebi Sandal Stevenson Stratton Vickers Weiler, I'll come to you next. Weiler. I Wilson Winterton. President Adams.

  15. Presiding officer (Senate)58:54

      Thank you. First substitute House Bill 3 0 9. Having received 24 I votes zero nay votes with five being absent shall be read for a third time. Senator Plumb?

  16. Sen. Jen Plumb59:04

      Thank you Mr. President Prote, I would like us to encircle the bill. We were speaking out a few back house Bill three 80. If we could Please motion on Encircle house Bill three 80.

  17. Presiding officer (Senate)59:15

      All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? That uh, that motion passes House Bill three 80 is un Uncircled.

  18. Presiding officer (Senate)59:24

      Senator Plumb. Thank

  19. Sen. Jen Plumb59:25

      You Mr. President ProAm,

• Feb 27, 2026 Senate floor debate▶ Watch
  Transcript (32 turns)

  1. Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore1:04:47

     to amend Halloween? Yes. Okay. This simply align. A few years ago, the state recognized Juneteenth in our recognition, we decided that we would like a three day weekend. And so if the 19th happened to be on a Monday or Friday, we'd recognize it then. Otherwise we would recognize the closest Monday or Friday. The Feds have since come down and recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday and as it's called Juneteenth. I think that means June 19th. So it is on June 19th. What we are doing is aligning our recognition of this with the federal recognition so we don't have multiple days off for certain organizations within the same week. Thank you for the presentation. Senator Fillmore,

  2. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:05:37

     Mr. Mr. President. We've dealt with this issue a lot. You know, we, uh, put it on as a commemorative day and then changed it to a holiday and then changed it so that it was always on a Friday or a Monday so that, um, you know, state employees could have a three day weekend. And it looks like this bill is going back to take away that three day weekend maybe except, you know, uh, every two, uh, two out of every seven years. I'm curious why we would undo what we did. I think just last year or the year before on the placement of the holiday, which was done for the convenience of employees.

  3. Senate President (presiding)1:06:13

     Senator Kalimore more.

  4. Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore1:06:16

     The reason, as I understand, is in a year, like this year, if I recall, we rec, we as the state recognized Juneteenth on Monday, but then the Feds recognized it on a Tuesday. And so we had state offices that were closed on Monday. Then we had post offices that were closed on Tuesday and the courts weren't sure if they were closed on Monday and Tuesday. And, and there's other institutions that want to recognize it, and they weren't sure whether they do it on Monday or Tuesday or both days. And so this is just trying to eliminate the confusion and sense the Feds decide to do what they're gonna do. It was, uh, just an attempt to align that.

  5. Senate President (presiding)1:06:54

     Senator Fillmore, any follow up? Yeah,

  6. Sen. Lincoln Fillmore1:06:56

     I just, I mean, I guess I understand the purpose of that alignment, but if the federal government is wrong, I don't know why we would make a decision to undo what we did to be wrong with. Be Careful we don't imp and you don't even the federal government anyway, Is the, I I, all right. The federal government always has to be right. All right, Mr. President, I thank you for that. I, I think I'll be a no. 'cause I prefer having this, uh, to create a three day weekend, and I think society is mature enough to be able to deal with whatever confusion that creates.

  7. Senate President (presiding)1:07:24

     Thank you. Senator Fillmore. Senator McKay to the bill.

  8. Sen. Daniel McCay1:07:27

     Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I'm trying to decide if I ask a question. I, I'm, I'm trying to figure out will the sponsor yield do a question Or two? Senator Comore thinks a agreed to Yale. Yes. Go ahead, Senator McKay.

  9. Sen. Daniel McCay1:07:42

     Um, do you feel like the population prefers a three day weekend or do you feel like they prefer an interruption to the middle of their work week?

  10. Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore1:07:53

      Senator Cullimore, The population has not spoke to me on this bill, but I will say certain businesses have that interact with the post office, that interact with the courts and interact with other state and federal agencies and have and appreciate the attempt to align, align these.

  11. Sen. Daniel McCay1:08:17

      Senator McKay, Thank you. Um, it's interesting because I have heard from state employees on this issue who are really appreciative of the idea, uh, or of the ability to celebrate a new holiday or celebrate a holiday close to a weekend. Um, you know, the same employees though, you know, they've asked to change July 4th to the same program or Pioneer Day to the same program where we don't have holidays in the middle of the week. It is well documented that holidays serve the workforce better when they are on the Friday or on Monday. So it is a day off and they, they get a longer break from the work. It also serves the employer better when it is least disruptive. I fear that we're making a decision based on popularity of interrelationship with the federal government and how its employees may act. I'm pretty sure I'll ask another question. Do the state courts know when a state holiday is Senator Cullimore State Courts seemed often confused. Thank you. Follow up any, Are they confused on this subject or are they confused on other issues? Be, Be careful anyway.

  12. Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore1:09:35

      I can't speak for the courts.

  13. Senate President (presiding)1:09:38

      Pull up mic closer. We need To hear that Senator call.

  14. Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore1:09:41

      I was gonna say on the state court website, it does have a specific day of when Juneteenth is celebrated not on, you know, the traditional day. So it doesn't seem like the courts are that confused. The post office, I mean, the last time I Uintah a post office, it's, it's been a while. Um, but I haven't been to a post office, but one time I did go and it was closed. I, I just went the next day. It, it, it was not that stressful to me to go the next day.

  15. Sen. Daniel McCay1:10:10

      Um, I, I'm just trying to think of other federal overlap places. E even title companies, you know, who tend to deal with both on the lending side of things, there are very few mortgages that are underwritten and recorded in the middle of the month, say between the 15th and the 19th, compared to mortgages that are closed and recorded between the 25th and the 30th, the 39 30 first. And the reason for that is because everybody's always trying to deal with odd days interests on closing when they're dealing with bank notes. So I'm just, for the life of me, I feel like we're making an exception for business folks that will be at the cost and expense of, you know, of a narrow group of business folks that will be at the cost and expense of state and other employees, uh, that in the state, we're gonna, that don't have any interaction. Most, I would argue most companies have no interaction with the federal government and therefore are not confused on June 19th that they can't interact with the federal government that day. It's no different than other days when you call the federal government and wait for endless hours on hold to try and get through to do anything anyway. So making a change to a hol making the change to the holiday for that purpose, to me feels like we are dealing with maybe a group of, a small group of people who are complaining at the expense of a larger group of people who are very happy to have a three day weekend. For that reason, I ask that we vote no and keep with the compromise, because as we all remember that if you were not here, let me remind you, the compromise to creating this holiday was that it would be a three day weekend. That was the compromise. The whole purpose of it was purpose. We'll do it if we could do it because of this. The compromise has lived up to its purpose. Undoing it. I would say we are far better off choosing a different holiday, maybe repealing this holiday and finding another holiday that would fit it. I can think of, uh, I think of a holiday that is being proposed. I just look at those holidays and say, maybe they're just as deserving and they provide us three day weekends.

  16. Senate President (presiding)1:12:16

      Maybe we should stick with that. I can't hear you. So with that, Thank you. We've got somebody online it sounds like. Needs to mute. Senator Escamilla. Me. Yeah.

  17. Sen. Luz Escamilla1:12:28

      Um, thank you Mr. President. And I know this is Friday and we're a week away from the end of the session, but I'm gonna ask, um, some respect. This is a really important, um, piece of history related to Juneteenth and, um, it's very important for a very, uh, a large community here in our, in our state. So the point about the alignment and making sure that it, it makes sense and I, you know, maybe some individuals haven't experienced custodial situations where you have to align dates and it has caused some problems because it doesn't match. So I don't know. When we talked about the courts, it didn't necessarily mean the courts like the, the justices themselves not knowing what day they're living or they're not. It's talking about specifically custody issues where parents are having to align those dates. And one is thinking that is Juneteenth the federal holiday versus a state because we work by convenience, trying to put it on a three day weekend. We all love three day weekends. But if our only African American legislator is telling us that this is causing a problem in their community and this is important to them, and this is what we are celebrating on Juneteenth, I'm asking my colleagues to respect that piece. Compromises in here, I don't know. I mean, compromises come and go in this place. So please, this is an important piece for a legislator, um, that this is very important to her community. And when we did mention the courts, I think there was a reference to people dealing with custodial issues and parenting time, which is already very complicated. So it is addressing that piece in a way that aligns things. So, Mr. President, please. Thank you.

  18. Senate President (presiding)1:14:11

      Thank you. Senator Weiler, now to the bill. Thank

  19. Sen. Todd Weiler1:14:14

      You. Um, I think, um, To, to, In response to what Senator McKay said, I I think he's absolutely right, however, and, and I think we did it right, I think making Juneteenth a three day holiday would make it more meaningful. I think, uh, it, it's the better way to do it. But we've lost this battle because the federal government has decided to do it on the actual day of the celebration. And as a lawyer who works in the family law space, I have had clients, uh, in the last year or two have disputes because the mother said, no, my lawyer said it's on Monday. And the other, the father says, the ex ex-husband says, well, my lawyer says to follow the federal holiday. And it has created, uh, chaos. And it's good for family law lawyers 'cause people fight over it and they file motions and we go to court and we get paid. But it's bad for the public, it's bad for the community to have these mixed messages. And we have the federal courts closed on, on, um, on, on the federal holiday and the state courts closing on the state holiday. It's a mess right now. So I think we did it right. I wish the federal government would've followed us. They didn't. I support the bill because we need less chaos in, in the, in this arena.

  20. Senate President (presiding)1:15:28

      Thank you. Thank You. We're gonna go around Senator Vickers then, uh, Stratton and then maybe Rebi. Senator Vickers.

  21. Sen. John D. Johnson1:15:36

      Yeah. Thank you Mr. President. Um, yeah, I just observing this, I, I recognize that this is an important part of history and we've consciously, as a state chosen to recognize it as a holiday on all other holidays that considered or considered federal holidays. We have followed federal law on this. So I would, for me, I don't have any problems, you know, going with what that practice practices make. And it certainly would, I think, solve some issues now. Yeah. Would we, in a perfect world, if we just did, we were the only one choosing, yeah, let's pick the three day weekend. But on all other federal holidays that have importance historically like this, or for other types of celebrations, we have chosen to follow federal guidelines. So I would suggest that we do this on this as well. It's why I'm support of the bill.

  22. Senate President (presiding)1:16:27

      Thank you Now to Senator Stratton.

  23. Sen. Keven J. Stratton1:16:30

      Thank you, Mr. President. I, I really appreciate the sensitivity of, of the debate and, uh, we, we have the needs of our wonderful state employees and what a remarkable thing. We look at our state employees, we're the number one state in so many ways, and that's on the back of these wonderful state employees. They're a big part of it. We need to recognize that. We also need to really have a sense of what we're trying to do here. And so I think I have the perfect solution. We, we go ahead and align federally in June and make sure we have a three day holiday on Easter with that. So we have a Perfect the bill. Will you please? I, I support the bill. Thank you.

  24. Senate President (presiding)1:17:15

      Uh, don't have to worry only about attorneys. Anyway, see no further discussion. I'm gonna go to Senator Cullimore for summation on that. And a motion

  25. Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore1:17:25

      If, if you're up here on the hill long enough in whatever capacity, uh, activist, lobbyist, legislator, you'll be here long enough to find yourself a hypocrite in some fashion. I would encourage your vote on this, but, but we'll remind you that in the future it is important to have another holiday on Friday. Yes.

  26. Senate President (presiding)1:17:50

      Oh man. And with that stay, please state your main to the bill Senator with That. And

  27. Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore1:17:55

      Even in your summation, I'll move that we pass. First substitute house bill 3 0 9.

  28. Senate President (presiding)1:18:00

      Thank you. The question is, shall first substitute house bill three oh nine pass Roll call vote.

  29. Senate clerk1:18:05

      Senator Vickers Baldry Lewin a brammer bus Aye.

  30. Unknown speaker1:18:14speaker not certain

      Cullimore a Escamilla Fillmore Grover Harper Aye. Kinins Aye. Ipson Aye. Johnson. Aye. K. Juab McKay Mikel Aye. Milner Aye. Musselman Owens pitcher Plum Rebe Sandal Stevenson Stratton Aye. Bickers Aye. Weiler Aye. Wilson. Aye. Winterton

  31. Senate President (presiding)1:18:52

      President Adams Aye. First substitute house bill 3 0 9, having received 23 yay votes, three nay votes, three being absent, passes his body and will be signed by the President or returned to the house for the signature of the speaker, I'm gonna go to Senator Mikel first. Go ahead, Senator. Personal privilege. Uh, granted.

  32. Sen. Michael K. McKell1:19:15

      Hey, we're, we're having a little bit of fun today. Senator Harper's trying to walk off.