HB265 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jeremy GrayRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to state holidays; to amend Section 1-3-8, Code of Alabama 1975, to add Juneteenth as a state holiday; and to delete duplicative language and make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.

Summary

HB265 would add Juneteenth as a state holiday, create Rosa Parks Day, and establish new personal leave and related holiday rules for state employees, with minor housekeeping updates.

What This Bill Does

Adds Juneteenth (June 19) to Alabama's official list of state holidays. Creates Rosa Parks Day on the first day of December, with counties and municipalities allowed to observe it as a holiday. Maintains general holiday observance rules (state offices close on holidays, with exceptions for emergencies or essential services and bank-hour flexibilities) and establishes new employee leave provisions, including a paid personal leave day for most state workers and compensatory leave rules for those who work on holidays.

Who It Affects

• State employees (excluding those in Baldwin and Mobile Counties) who would receive one paid personal leave day each year, must schedule it, and be paid for any unused days at year-end.
• Banks and financial institutions, which may close or adjust hours on holidays with approval from the Superintendent of Banks and the Banking Board, and may observe state or federal holidays.
• Counties and municipalities, school districts, and public colleges/universities, which are subject to holiday observance rules and may observe Rosa Parks Day if they choose.

Key Provisions

• Add Juneteenth, June 19, to the official list of state holidays in Section 1-3-8.
• Designate the first day of December as Mrs. Rosa L. Parks Day, with counties and municipalities allowed to observe it as a holiday.
• Require closing of state offices on state holidays, with exceptions for emergencies or essential services; allow bank closings on certain holidays with approval; provide for holiday-related scheduling and compensation rules.
• Create one paid personal leave day per year for most state employees (excluding Baldwin and Mobile Counties), to be scheduled within the year and paid if not used; failure to schedule requires justification in writing.
• Provide compensatory leave or pay for employees who work on a state holiday, with mechanisms to carry forward compensatory leave if not used within the designated quarter/year.
• Mardi Gras holiday provision for Mobile and Baldwin Counties; localities may observe observed holidays as applicable.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Draft bill to add Juneteenth as a state holiday.