Nevada hearing advances bill to add Diwali, Eid al‑Fitr, Vaisakhi and Vesak to state days of observance

Assemblymember Reuben De Silva, sponsor of Assembly Bill 82, told the Assembly Committee on Government Affairs that the bill would add Diwali, Eid al‑Fitr, Vaisakhi and Vesak to Nevada’s official list of days of observance. "This bill will add several religious and cultural holidays to the official list of days held in observance in Nevada," De Silva said during the hearing.

The bill would require the governor to proclaim those days of observance and would permit the proclamation to call upon the news media, educators, businesses and appropriate governmental offices to bring those observances to the attention of Nevada residents. Assemblymember Hanadi Nadeem, a cosponsor, described the measure as “educational in nature,” saying it “opens the door to greater interfaith dialogue and respect.”

Supporters from faith and community organizations and from universities told the committee they view the bill as recognition and inclusion rather than creation of paid time off. Lali Parasa of the India Arts and Cultural Center explained the cultural and religious meaning of Diwali and other festivals and called them opportunities for community-building. Rokai Yousefzai, who identified himself as community affairs liaison for the Muslim community and a founder of Masjid e‑Tawhid and the Islamic Association of Las Vegas, urged members to "please consider this bill and vote yes on this bill. It is extremely important for our community." Several organizational witnesses — including Alejandro Rodriguez (Nevada System of Higher Education), Austin Daley (University of Nevada, Reno), Caitlin Gachalyan (chair, AAPI Democratic Caucus), and representatives of the City of North Las Vegas and AAPI chambers — also voiced support.

Committee members asked practical questions the sponsors said the bill does not fix: the proposed observances do not set fixed Western calendar dates because the holidays are determined by lunar or lunisolar calendars. De Silva and other presenters noted the dates will vary each year (for example, Diwali typically falls in autumn, Eid al‑Fitr is based on the end of Ramadan and can shift across the Gregorian year, Vaisakhi is in spring, and Vesak varies by tradition). De Silva reiterated during questioning that the bill does not create paid leave: "this is not a holiday, a paid day off, or anything like that. It is simply a day that will be placed on the list of other observed days, on the Nevada calendar, where the governor will make this proclamation."

Assemblymember DeLong asked whether Jewish holidays were included; De Silva said some Jewish observances already appear in Nevada’s statutes and that the sponsors are open to conversations with additional communities about future additions. Assemblymember Flanagan and others pressed sponsors for clarity on how dates will be identified and how employers and schools should treat such days; sponsors pointed to last session’s law allowing excused absences for students on religious holidays as part of the broader context.

Dozens of public witnesses — primarily from Nevada’s Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist communities and affiliated organizations — spoke in support during in‑person and telephonic testimony, recounting local community growth and asking the committee to advance the measure. Speakers consistently framed AB 82 as recognition that would increase visibility and cultural understanding and help families and students obtain excused absences when observances occur.

No formal vote on AB 82 was recorded in the hearing. The committee closed the AB 82 hearing and proceeded to consider other business.