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SB 5106

Establishing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 13 co-sponsors

Washington adds Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to the list of recognized days in RCW 1.16.050; no new paid holidays or leaves, calendars may reflect the observances starting 7/27/2025.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 5106

SB 5106 — Establishing Eid al‑Fitr and Eid al‑Adha as recognized days

Status: Enacted (Chapter 30, 2025 Laws). Governor signed 4/8/2025. Effective date: 7/27/2025.
Introduced (prefiled): 12/23/2024. Sponsors: Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections (original sponsors: Senators Trudeau, Warnick, Bateman, Chapman, Dhingra, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovelett, Nobles, Riccelli, Saldaña, Shewmake, Stanford, C. Wilson).

Purpose

To add Eid al‑Fitr and Eid al‑Adha to the list of days the Legislature recognizes in the state's holidays/observances statute (RCW 1.16.050), formally acknowledging these important Islamic religious festivals in state law.

Key provisions

  • Amends RCW 1.16.050 to include:
    • Eid al‑Fitr — defined in the bill as “the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar… commonly called Eid al‑Fitr.”
    • Eid al‑Adha — defined as “the tenth day of the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar… commonly called Eid al‑Adha.”
  • Both days are added to subsection (7) of RCW 1.16.050 (the list of days “recognized as provided in this subsection, but may not be considered legal holidays for any purpose”).
  • The bill does not appropriate funds and a fiscal note was not requested.
  • Existing statutory provisions for employee leave remain unchanged, including:
    • Paid state legal holidays (unchanged list and entitlements).
    • Two unpaid religious/conscience holidays available to state and local government employees (RCW 1.16.050(3)).

Practical effect / who is affected

  • Muslim residents and communities: formal state recognition of Eid al‑Fitr and Eid al‑Adha in Washington law, which can support cultural acknowledgement, public proclamations, and calendar inclusion.
  • State and local employers and employees: SB 5106 does not create new paid legal holidays or require workplace closures. Employee leave rights for religious observance (two unpaid days per year) are unchanged.
  • State agencies and institutions: may update official calendars, outreach materials, and observances to reflect the recognition.

Timing & legislative history

  • Passed Senate: 2/26/2025 (yeas 47, nays 1).
  • Passed House: 3/31/2025 (yeas 68, nays 29).
  • Delivered to Governor: 4/3/2025; signed 4/8/2025.
  • Effective 90 days after adjournment of the session in which passed — codified effective 7/27/2025.

Notes

  • The bill acknowledges the lunar nature of the Islamic calendar (dates shift ~10–11 days annually), so the Gregorian calendar dates for Eid will vary each year and may be determined by moon sighting or community practice.

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

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