Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Juneteenth Holiday Hb165 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves amendment and passage of HB 165, making Juneteenth a standalone state holiday
Summary
The committee adopted an amendment to HB 165 to make Juneteenth a standalone state holiday and then passed the amended bill. State Personnel Department staff told members that separating Juneteenth simplifies administration of state holidays.
Representative Ream presented HB 165, a bill to recognize Juneteenth as a state holiday. The committee first considered an amendment offered by Representative Lawrence that would make Juneteenth a standalone state holiday and place it in the Code of Alabama 1975. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the amended bill by voice vote.
Representative Lawrence explained the amendment, saying it would "make Juneteenth a standalone state holiday" and described the specific line and page replacements in the bill language that would align Juneteenth with other state holidays. Lexi Solerio of the State Personnel Department told the committee that keeping two separate observance days would be difficult for staffing and logistics and recommended making Juneteenth its own holiday. "The governor has given it to us since 2021, so it has been something that state employees have been able to have for the past, several years," Solerio said.
Representative Ream said the amendment matched his original intent and noted local recognition of the day: "We are already paying for the holiday, and I just feel that we should you know, the governor shouldn't have do our job for us," Ream said, describing observance in his district and county. Representative Lawrence spoke in favor of passing the measure and acknowledged prior legislative attempts to recognize Juneteenth dating to 2021.
A voice vote adopted Representative Lawrence's amendment. A subsequent motion to pass HB 165, as amended, was made by Representative Butler and seconded by Representative Void; the committee approved the bill by voice vote. The committee record notes the amendment replaces portions of the bill text on page 1 (lines 7–10 and 21–23) and page 3 (lines 57–58) and deletes lines 69–72 on page 3 to add Juneteenth to the state's list of holidays in the Code of Alabama 1975.
The hearing record does not include a roll-call tally, a specified effective date in the bill language as read in committee, or a detailed implementation schedule from the State Personnel Department beyond the logistical preference for a single observed holiday.
