Earlier in 2026, AB 2156 redesignated March 31 from Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day and required the Governor to annually proclaim March 31 as Farmworkers Day. AB 2156 took effect immediately as an urgency statute, Existing law also identified certain holidays on which public schools and community colleges may close pursuant to applicable memoranda of understanding and provides specified state employees, public school employees, and community college employees with paid time off for designated holidays.
SB 1394 changes the newly established Farmworkers Day from March 31 to April 10 and requires the Governor to annually proclaim April 10 as Farmworkers Day. The April 10 date corresponds to the conclusion of the 1966 Delano-to-Sacramento farmworker march.
The law also makes conforming changes to public-sector holiday statutes. It removes March 31 as the relevant Cesar Chavez Day holiday for public schools and community colleges and instead authorizes those institutions to close on April 10, Farmworkers Day, as provided by applicable law and collective bargaining agreements. It similarly revises provisions governing specified state employees, public school employees, and community college employees so that applicable paid-holiday treatment is tied to Farmworkers Day on April 10. In addition, SB 1394 repeals the separate statutory designation of August 26 as California Farmworker Day.
Public agencies, school districts, community college districts, and state employers that recognize the affected holiday should update calendars, policies, collective bargaining references, payroll and leave systems, and other materials to reflect April 10 rather than March 31 as Farmworkers Day.
SB 1394 amends Education Code section 37220.5, 45203, 79020, and 88203 and Government Code sections 6700, 6701, 6717, 19853, and 19853.1 and repeals section 6731.
