Existing California law designated March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day and required the Governor to annually proclaim March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day. March 31 is included among the holidays identified in Government Code section 6700, although the statute provides that certain listed holidays, including March 31, do not automatically apply to a city, county, or district unless made applicable through a charter, ordinance, or resolution. Applicable memoranda of understanding may also control holiday treatment for state employees.
AB 2156 renames March 31 as “Farmworkers Day” and requires the Governor to annually proclaim March 31 as Farmworkers Day. It does not add a new holiday or create an additional day off. It only changes the statutory name of the existing March 31 holiday.
Public agencies that recognize March 31 as a holiday should consider updating their calendars, policies, forms, notices, and other references from “Cesar Chavez Day” to “Farmworkers Day.” Whether the day constitutes an observed or paid holiday for particular local public employees continues to depend on applicable law, charter or local enactments, and collective bargaining agreements.
AB 2156 amends Government Code section 6700 and 6717 to rename March 31 from “Cesar Chavez Day” to “Farmworkers Day” and require the Governor to use the new designation in the annual proclamation.
