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HB 352

Juneteenth National Independence Day; designate as a legal holiday in the State of Mississippi.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Omeria Scott

Mississippi bill would make Juneteenth an official state holiday, formally recognizing the emancipation of enslaved African Americans on June 19th.

Died In Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 352

Legislative bill overview

HB 352 would designate Juneteenth National Independence Day as a legal holiday in Mississippi. The bill seeks to establish June 19th as an official state holiday, recognizing the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and its historical significance.

Why is this important

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned of their freedom—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. While Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, making it a state holiday affects government operations, potential employee paid time off, and the state's official recognition of this historical event.

Potential points of contention

  • Holiday calendar burden: Mississippi currently recognizes Confederate holidays (Robert E. Lee's birthday, Confederate Memorial Day); designating Juneteenth as a legal holiday raises questions about competing historical commemorations and resource allocation
  • Implementation costs: State governments must consider payroll impacts for public employees, facility closures, and administrative adjustments when adding holidays
  • Political symbolism: The bill's passage or failure carries symbolic weight regarding how states acknowledge the full history of slavery and emancipation, making it contentious beyond administrative concerns

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

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