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CaliforniaAB 2682025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

State holidays: Diwali.

Sponsored By: Ash Kalra (Democratic), Darshana R. Patel (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Paid Diwali holiday for school staff

Classified K–12 and community college employees get a paid holiday on Diwali, April 24, and the fourth Friday in September if the district board agrees in a local MOU. To be paid, you must be in paid status for part of the workday right before or after the holiday. These paid holidays are optional and depend on the local agreement.

Local schools and colleges can close for Diwali

School districts and community colleges can close on April 24, Diwali (15th day of Kartik), and the fourth Friday in September if their boards approve a local MOU. Closures are optional and decided locally. When schools or colleges close, students and staff get the day off. Some families need child care that day.

State workers can take Diwali leave

Eligible state employees can choose eight hours of holiday credit for Diwali instead of their personal holiday credit. They can also use eight hours of vacation, annual leave, or comp time to observe Diwali. Leave use must fit your department’s operations and union rules.

Schools can teach about Diwali and more

On April 24, the fourth Friday in September, and Diwali, public schools may hold lessons and events that honor these days. Schools use existing budgets for these activities. The State Board of Education may issue model guides to help teachers.

Diwali added to state and court holidays

The state adds Diwali to its official holiday list. Courts also treat Diwali as a judicial holiday. If Diwali falls on a weekend, the Judicial Council can set another day to observe it. Court schedules pause on that day.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Ash Kalra

    Democratic • House

  • Darshana R. Patel

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Patrick Ahrens

    Democratic • House

  • Benjamin Allen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jasmeet Bains

    Democratic • House

  • Dave Cortese

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Fong

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Gipson

    Democratic • House

  • Alex Lee

    Democratic • House

  • Aisha Wahab

    Democratic • Senate

  • Christopher Ward

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 262 • No: 0

House vote • 9/11/2025

Item 23 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 76 • No: 0

Senate vote • 9/10/2025

Item 132 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 36 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 8/18/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 7/9/2025

Vote in CS44

Yes: 5 • No: 0

legislature vote • 6/24/2025

Vote in CS48

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 6/2/2025

Item 51 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 78 • No: 0

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 14 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/23/2025

Vote in CX17

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/2/2025

Vote in CX07

Yes: 19 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 358, Statutes of 2025.

    10/6/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/6/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m.

    9/23/2025legislature

  4. Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 76. Noes 0. Page 3290.).

    9/11/2025House

  5. In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.

    9/10/2025House

  6. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 36. Noes 0. Page 2796.).

    9/10/2025Senate

  7. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    8/29/2025Senate

  8. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025Senate

  9. In committee: Referred to suspense file.

    8/18/2025Senate

  10. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 5. Noes 0.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    7/9/2025Senate

  11. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on ED. (Ayes 13. Noes 0.) (June 24). Re-referred to Com. on ED.

    6/24/2025Senate

  12. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on G.O.

    6/13/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Coms. on G.O. and ED.

    6/11/2025Senate

  14. In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.

    6/3/2025Senate

  15. Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 1817.)

    6/2/2025House

  16. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/27/2025House

  17. From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025House

  18. In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.

    5/7/2025House

  19. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 23). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    4/23/2025House

  20. Coauthors revised.

    4/23/2025House

  21. From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on P. E. & R. (Ayes 19. Noes 0.) (April 2). Re-referred to Com. on P. E. & R.

    4/3/2025House

  22. Re-referred to Com. on G.O.

    3/17/2025House

  23. From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on G.O. Read second time and amended.

    3/13/2025House

  24. Referred to Coms. on G.O. and P. E. & R.

    3/13/2025House

  25. From printer. May be heard in committee February 17.

    1/18/2025House

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/6/2025

    HTML

  • Enrolled

    9/15/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Senate

    6/13/2025

    HTML

  • Amended Assembly

    3/13/2025

    HTML

  • Introduced

    1/17/2025

    HTML

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