The Laws, Rules and Government Services Committee voted May 15 to amend its rules to prohibit legislative sessions and committee meetings on certain Jewish holidays, including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Proposed by Deputy Chair Levine, the change follows an earlier policy that designates Sept. 11 anniversary as a day without legislative business. Levine said adding Jewish holidays would allow members, staff and the public to observe religious holidays without having to miss legislative business.

“I thought that it was prudent and appropriate to introduce this resolution to add certain Jewish holidays to the calendar as dates to not hold legislative business,” Deputy Chair Levine said.

Committee members supported the measure but some urged the body remain open to adding holidays from other faiths in future discussions. “I support this, but I just want us to be mindful that there may be others that we're not thinking of,” said Legislator Gutierrez.

The resolution passed on a voice vote; the chair announced there were no opposing votes. Committee members said the change is not intended to end further conversations about recognizing other faith calendars and invited public comment on additional requests.

The committee’s action modifies its internal rules of order to include the specified Jewish holidays as dates when legislative meetings will not be scheduled. No calendar entries beyond those named in the resolution were added at the meeting.