summary
Introduced
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT Relating to recognizing Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas; and 2 reenacting and amending RCW 1.16.050. 3
AI Summary
This bill amends existing law to recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as state legal holidays. Diwali is a major festival in Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism, often referred to as the "festival of lights," and Bandi Chhor Divas is a Sikh festival celebrating the release of Guru Hargobind from prison. The bill adds these observances to the list of state legal holidays, which are days that state employees and employees of political subdivisions are entitled to paid time off. The existing law already outlines various state legal holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Native American Heritage Day, and Christmas Day, and also provides for additional paid and unpaid holidays for reasons of faith or conscience.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (18)
Manka Dhingra (D)*,
Jessica Bateman (D),
Mike Chapman (D),
Adrian Cortes (D),
Noel Frame (D),
Bob Hasegawa (D),
Claudia Kauffman (D),
John Lovick (D),
T'wina Nobles (D),
Tina Orwall (D),
Marcus Riccelli (D),
June Robinson (D),
Vandana Slatter (D),
Derek Stanford (D),
Yasmin Trudeau (D),
Javier Valdez (D),
Lisa Wellman (D),
Claire Wilson (D),
Last Action
Scheduled for executive session in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM (on 02/25/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6044&Year=2025&Initiative=false |
| House bill analysis 2026 | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/6044%20HBA%20SGOV%2026.pdf |
| Senate bill report | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/6044%20SBR%20APS%2026.pdf |
| Senate bill report | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/6044%20SBR%20SGTE%20OC%2026.pdf |
| Senate bill report | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/6044%20SBR%20SGTE%20TA%2026.pdf |
| Senate bill report (orig.) | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/6044%20SBA%20SGTE%2026.pdf |
| BillText | https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/6044.pdf |
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