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Committee advances bill to rename March 31 as Farmworker Day amid national reckoning
Summary
On a 7–0 vote the Senate panel sent a House bill to the Committee of the Whole to rename the March 31 observance "Farmworker Day," a fast-tracked response to recent allegations about a historical movement leader and testimony urging honoring the movement and survivors.
The Senate Local Government & Housing Committee voted unanimously to advance House Bill 26-13-39, which would rename the state’s March 31 observance to Farmworker Day. Sponsors described the bill as a rapid response to recent national reporting that prompted community demands to remove an individual's name from the holiday and instead honor the broader movement.
Sponsor rationale: "We want to preserve honoring the movement while not elevating the individual at the expense of survivors," sponsor Sen. Danielson said, framing the measure as an effort to maintain recognition of the farmworker movement while responding to survivors’ concerns. Sen. Cutter added the legislative move reflected swift community expectations and leadership requests.
Public testimony: Richard Garcia, a longtime farmworker-community member and father of a current representative, spoke in support, urging lawmakers to "support the permanent change of March 31 to Migrant Farmworker Day" to honor millions of workers who harvest the state's crops. Sponsors said the change would be procedural and carry no fiscal note.
Next steps: The committee advanced the bill to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation; sponsors warned floor amendments may follow out of courtesy to those preparing changes.
Vote: HB 26-13-39 advanced by a 7–0 roll call.
