Holidays: other; "Patriots' Day"; designate as April 19 of each year. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Borton and 7 co-sponsors

Designates April 19 each year as Patriots' Day in Michigan to recognize the Battles of Lexington and Concord and connect the state to broader commemorations.

placed on third reading

#holidays:other

Summary of HB 5713 (Michigan, 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

Designates April 19 of each year as Patriots' Day in Michigan.

The designation is intended to recognize the historical significance of the Battles of Lexington and Concord (April 19, 1775) and to connect Michigan to broader commemorations of American independence.

Key provisions

Creates a new act establishing April 19 annually as Patriots' Day.

The bill provides historical context, noting that Patriots' Day originated in Massachusetts (observed since 1894) and is recognized in several other states (including Maine, Connecticut, Florida, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and others in varying forms).

It references traditionally associated observances such as Revolutionary War reenactments, ceremonies honoring colonial militia, and events like the Boston Marathon (as part of the broader Patriots' Day tradition).

The text includes historical notes about Michigan’s Revolutionary War-era geography (Fort Detroit, Mackinac, Fort St. Joseph) to justify the recognition, though the actual mechanism is a state holiday designation rather than establishment of specific observances.

Who/what would be affected

Public calendar and official state recognition: April 19 would be designated as Patriots' Day in Michigan.

Government operations: As a designated holiday, state government calendars and related scheduling could reflect the holiday (though the bill states there would be no fiscal impact, it may influence agency operating hours and closures if aligned with other states’ observances).

Local governments and schools: Potential impacts on school calendars, state employee scheduling, and public events, depending on whether local jurisdictions align with the designation (the bill itself does not specify mandates for closures or time off beyond recognizing the day).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in March 2026 by Rep. David W. Martin and colleagues; referred to the Committee on Government Operations.

Status: As of the provided material, the bill has not yet been enacted and would proceed through the standard legislative process (committee consideration, potential amendments, chamber votes, and, if passed, reconciliation between House and Senate versions and signature by the Governor).

Fiscal impact: The House Fiscal Agency analysis concludes there is no anticipated fiscal impact on the state or local governments from this designation.

Fiscal impact

Estimated impact: None identified. The analysis states there would be no fiscal impact related to creating Patriots' Day as a state designation.

Supporting and sponsor information

Primary sponsor: Rep. David W. Martin.

Co-sponsors: Pat Outman, Gina Johnsen, Angela Rigas, Jerry Neyer, Tim Kelly, Ken Borton, Josh Schriver.

Committee: Government Operations (as of introduction).

Notes for readers

The bill does not mandate state holidays’ closures or paid time off; it formally recognizes Patriots' Day, aligning Michigan with several other states that observe the day in various forms.

The historical narrative within the bill emphasizes connections to colonial-era sites in Michigan and the broader commemorative purpose of the day.

If you’d like, I can compare this proposal to how Patriots' Day is observed in other states or outline potential implications for school calendars and state employee scheduling based on how similar designations have been treated in practice elsewhere.