Michigan House repeals state designation of Cesar Chavez Day after debate; substitute to honor farm workers fails

The Michigan House voted to repeal the state designation of Cesar Chavez Day on April 24, 2026, passing House Bill 5836 on a roll-call vote of 103–2 and ordering immediate effect.

Representative Sara Shriver (reading on the floor) urged colleagues to support the repeal, framing it as a matter of protecting the vulnerable and responding to investigative reporting: "I rise in strong support of House Bill 5836, which repeals the state designation of Cesar E. Chavez Day in Michigan," she said, citing a "five‑year long investigation by the New York Times" that she characterized as documenting abuse by Chavez. Shriver told the House that continuing to recognize Chavez on the state calendar would send the wrong message about protecting children and survivors.

Earlier in the day, Representative Pies offered a floor substitute that would have replaced the designation of Cesar Chavez Day with a new "Michigan Farm Workers Day," arguing the substitute would honor the broader movement rather than centering a single individual. "Removing the name of Cesar Chavez is a necessary first step," Pies said, and argued the substitute would better reflect survivors' accounts and the contributions of farm workers and leaders such as Dolores Huerta and Larry Itliong. The House voted on that substitute and it was not adopted.

The bill's backers and critics debated how public commemoration should balance historical contributions and newly reported allegations. Supporters said the state's official calendar should not celebrate figures whose actions include alleged abuse; supporters urged that survivors' voices be heard and that the state honor farm workers without celebrating an individual. Opponents of the substitutes argued for preserving historical context and raised concerns about "erasing history," though the House ultimately approved repeal.

By a 103–2 vote the House advanced HB5836 and ordered immediate effect. The measure had been taken up previously and saw multiple amendments and substitute offers before final passage. The House record reflects both the substitute attempt to designate "Michigan Farm Workers Day" (rejected) and the final passage of the repeal.

The House debate cited reporting by the New York Times and referenced farm worker movement leaders; the House did not vote on any companion resolution to replace the day with an alternative designation. The next procedural steps would follow state law for enactment and any implementation directives would be determined by the secretary of state and relevant executive offices.

The session continued with additional votes and ceremonial resolutions before adjourning.