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House approves bill designating certain state holy days and employee accommodation
Summary
First substitute Senate Bill 259, described by sponsors as recognizing certain religious holy days and allowing state employees to use personal preference days to observe them, passed the House 67–6 after brief floor discussion.
The Utah House passed first substitute Senate Bill 259, a measure described on the floor as designating certain days as "state holy days" and clarifying that such a designation is not automatically a legal holiday unless otherwise specified.
Representative Mike Peterson, the floor sponsor, said the bill recognizes various religious holy days and allows state employees to use their personal preference day to observe a designated state holy day. The sponsor also indicated the bill designates Easter Sunday as a legal holiday (noting Sundays are already recognized as holidays) and said the measure was intended to honor religious traditions across the state.
Representative Acton asked a procedural question about how religious organizations would request designation of a new day; the sponsor said he did not know the future nomination process and that such a process would need to be determined.
The House recorded final passage at 67 yes votes and 6 no votes. Sponsors framed the bill as inclusive and supportive of religious freedom while leaving procedural details about future designations unspecified.
