AN ACT relating to public holidays.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chad Aull

The bill seeks to establish or modify Kentucky state public holidays and how government offices observe them.

to State Government (H)

Overview

HB 396 (2026 Session, Kentucky) is a bill introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives, titled AN ACT relating to public holidays. The bill’s path in the legislative process began with introduction on January 15, 2026, and referral to the Committee on Committees (H) before moving to the State Government committee for consideration (January 23, 2026).

Main purpose and intent

The bill aims to address public holidays within Kentucky. While the exact text is not provided here, bills with this framing typically seek to create, modify, or codify official state holidays, adjust observance rules, or set processes related to holiday designation and recognition by state government agencies and possibly public institutions.

Key provisions and changes (anticipated themes)

Given the title and typical scope of public-holiday legislation, potential provisions may include:
- Establishing or modifying a Kentucky state public holiday designation or observance date(s).
- Specifying which government offices and services observe the holiday (e.g., state offices closed, no mail service, alternative day closures for certain agencies).
- Designating paid or unpaid status for state employees on new or modified holidays.
- Outlining how holidays interact with weekends (e.g., observed on the closest weekday if the holiday falls on a weekend).
- Providing funding or budgetary implications for agencies to implement additional or updated holiday schedules.
- Setting implementation timeline (effective date) and any phased rollout.
- Providing for exceptions or special rules for essential state functions and emergency operations.

Note: The exact provisions would be detailed in the bill text; the above reflect common elements in public-holiday legislation.

Who would be affected

State government employees and state agencies: changes to holiday observance could affect paid time off, administrative calendars, and office closures.

Public institutions and services that operate on state schedules (e.g., state universities, public health departments) may align calendars with the new or modified holidays.

The general public may experience changes in government service availability on designated holidays.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction: January 15, 2026.

Initial referral: January 15, 2026 (to Committee on Committees, H) for assignment and scheduling.

Subsequent referral: January 23, 2026, to State Government committee for consideration.

Next steps (not specified here): hearings, amendments, voting by House, potential progression to the Senate, and eventual enactment by the Governor if approved.

Notes for readers

The summary reflects available information on the bill’s title and procedural history; the precise statutory language and specific holiday provisions will determine the exact impact and scope. For a complete understanding, reviewing the bill text and any fiscal notes or committee amendments would be essential once they are published.