This bill amends existing law to clarify the designation of legal holidays by adding specific days related to elections. It inserts language into RSA 288:1 to declare that the days on which the state primary preceding a biennial election and the quadrennial presidential primary are held will be recognized as legal holidays. Additionally, it maintains the existing legal holidays, including January 1, Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil Rights Day, and others, while ensuring that the biennial election day remains a legal holiday.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section, RSA 288:1-a, which outlines the effects of legal holiday designations. It stipulates that state offices, cities, towns, school districts, and state-supported colleges and universities must remain closed on legal holidays, except for employees deemed necessary for essential services, such as conducting elections. It also encourages other employers to allow employees up to three hours away from work to vote during the biennial primary, presidential primary, and general election days. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 288:1