Senate approves bill creating 'state holy days' category and personal preference leave

First substitute Senate Bill 259, creating a new statutory category called "state holy days" and allowing state employees a personal preference day tied to those observances, passed the Utah Senate on a roll call vote of 24-0 with five absent.

Sponsor Senator Thomas Stratton presented the bill as an acknowledgment of religious observances held by members of the state and described three primary effects: creation of a third category (distinct from legal holidays and commemorative days) called state holy days, allowing employees to use a personal preference day for one of those observances, and designating Easter Sunday as a state holy day while noting Sundays remain state holidays.

Why it matters: The bill changes how the state recognizes significant religious observances and provides a formal mechanism for state employees to use existing personal leave for those days. Sponsors said the change aims to increase scheduling sensitivity across the legislative calendar and state operations.

Discussion and definition: Senator Kwan questioned how a "holy day" would be defined and how the list of days would be determined. Senator Stratton pointed to the bill text (line 188) and read the statutory definition: "As used in this section, state holy day means an annual day or other time of period of special religious significance that the state officially recognizes and observes as a holy day under this section," adding that the initial list could be expanded in future sessions. Stratton also said the bill lets employees use a personal preference day (lines 58–61) for one of the listed days or any day of personal religious significance and that the legislation does not create a new paid holiday or add days off the statewide calendar.

Senator Stratton said the bill does not address school attendance directly; he said the text does not change school calendars but that committee conversation had included a desire to avoid scheduling high‑stakes classroom events on recognized holy days so students could observe them if they choose.

Votes and outcome: The Senate read the bill three times; roll call recorded 24 ayes, 0 nays and 5 absent. The bill will advance to the House for consideration.

Provenance: Transcript presentation and Q&A appear in the Senate floor record where Senator Stratton introduced and discussed the bill; the definition excerpt and leave language were discussed at length during the floor debate.

Ending: With unanimous Senate support, the bill moves to the House. Sponsors and supporters signaled openness to adding days over time as part of recognizing Utah’s religious diversity.