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LD 724

An Act To Recognize Eid Al-Fitr And Eid Al-Adha As State Holidays

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mana Abdi and 8 co-sponsors

Designates Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as Maine state holidays for state government, requiring staffing adjustments (time off or overtime) with minor, absorbable costs.

Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD)
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Bill Summary · LD 724

Summary: LD 724 — An Act to Recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as State Holidays

Overview

LD 724 aims to designate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays in Maine, applying to state government operations and state employees. The bill was introduced on February 20, 2025 (Sponsor: Rep. Abdi of Lewiston) and was referred to the Committee on State and Local Government. The bill progressed through various stages in 2025 but was ultimately placed in Legislative Files (DEAD) on May 28, 2025.

Purpose and Intent

  • Officially recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays.
  • Extend the state government’s holiday framework to include these two significant Muslim holidays, signaling formal recognition within state employment policies.

Key Provisions (as reflected in the bill and accompanying notes)

  • Establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays for Maine state government.
  • For state departments and agencies that require 24-hour staffing, holiday coverage would need to be addressed by either granting time off on different days or paying overtime for work on the holidays.
  • The fiscal note indicates that, if other time off can be arranged, any additional costs would be minor and absorbable within existing resources.

Fiscal Impact

  • Preliminary Fiscal Impact Statement: Minor increase in costs—All Funds.
  • Rationale: New state holidays require staffing adjustments (time off on other days or overtime for holiday work) for agencies with around-the-clock operations.
  • Absorptibility: Costs are expected to be minor and able to be absorbed within existing resources, assuming workable time-off arrangements.

Affected Parties

  • State government agencies and departments in Maine.
  • State employees who would observe Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha as holidays (or receive compensatory time/overtime for holiday work).
  • HR and payroll systems would need to accommodate the new holidays.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Referred to: Committee on State and Local Government (Joint Rule 308.2; Joint Rule 401).
  • Work history:
    • 2025-02-20: Introduced and referred.
    • 2025-04-02: Work Session held; Divided Report.
    • 2025-04-02: Voted - Divided Report.
    • 2025-05-22: Reported Out – ONTP/OTP.
    • 2025-05-27–05-28: Legislative actions including ROLL CALL No. 187 (Yeas 87, Nays 52, Absent 12) and concurrence on acceptance of the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report.
    • 2025-05-28: Placed in Legislative Files (DEAD); bill did not advance.
  • Version/Tracking: LR 1354(01).

Status

  • Current status: DEAD (placed in Legislative Files). The bill did not become law in the 132nd Maine Legislature.

Practical Takeaway

If enacted, Maine state government would formally observe Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as holidays, affecting staffing and compensation for affected agencies. The fiscal note indicates only minor anticipated costs, contingent on feasible scheduling of time off or overtime. As of the action history, the bill did not proceed to enactment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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