The bill, H.B. No. 1471, proposes to amend the Government Code to designate Diwali and Dashain as optional holidays for state employees in Texas. Specifically, it adds provisions to Section 662.003(c) to include one day of the Diwali festival and one day of the Dashain festival, which can be selected by the state employee observing the holiday. This amendment is part of a broader effort to recognize and accommodate diverse cultural and religious observances within the state's holiday framework.

In addition to the new inclusions, the bill also removes the previous language that specified the days on which these holidays "fall," thereby allowing employees more flexibility in choosing their observance days. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, should it be enacted.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 662.003 (Government Code 662)