Establishes Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public holidays in this State.

A4114

ASSEMBLY, No. 4114

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 19, 2026

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman� CAROL A. MURPHY

District 7 (Burlington)

SYNOPSIS

���� Establishes Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public
holidays in this State.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
establishing Vaisakhi and Bandi Chhor Divas as public
holidays in this State and amending P.L.2008, c.89 and R.S.36:1-1.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� Section 25 of P.L.2008,
c.89 (C.11A:6-24.1) is amended to read as follows:

���� 25.� a.� Paid holidays granted
to all State government employees each calendar year shall be limited to the
following:

���� (1)�� January 1, known as New
Year's Day;

���� (2)�� the third Monday in
January, known as Martin Luther King's Birthday;

���� (3)�� the third Monday in
February, known as Washington's Birthday, which shall be known and celebrated
as Presidents Day in this State;

���� (4)�� the day designated and
known as Good Friday;

����
(5)�� the day designated
and known as Vaisakhi;

����
[
(5)
]

(6)
���� the last Monday
in May, known as Memorial Day;

����
[
(6)
]

(7)
���� the third Friday
in June, Juneteenth Day;

����
[
(7)
]

(8)
���� July 4, known as
Independence Day;

����
[
(8)
]

(9)
���� the first Monday
in September, known as Labor Day;

����
[
(9)
]

(10)
�� the second Monday
in October, known as Columbus Day;

����
[
(10)
]

(11) the day designated and
known as Bandi Chhor Divas;

����
[
(11)
]

(12)
November 11, known
as Armistice Day or Veterans' Day;

����
[
(12)
]

(13)
the fourth Thursday
in November, known as Thanksgiving Day;

����
[
(13)
]

(14)
December 25, known
as Christmas Day; and

����
[
(14)
]

(15)
any general election
day in this State.

���� b.��� The provisions of this
section shall not impair any collective bargaining agreement or contract in
effect on the effective date of P.L.2008, c.89.� The provision of this section
shall take effect in the calendar year following the expiration of the collective
bargaining agreements or contracts covering a majority of the Executive Branch
employees in effect on the effective date of P.L.2008, c.89.

(cf: P.L.2020, c.76, s.1)

���� 2.��� R.S.36:1-1 is amended to
read as follows:

���� 36:1-1.� a.� The following
days in each year shall, for all purposes whatsoever as regards the presenting
for payment or acceptance, and of the protesting and giving notice of dishonor,
of bills of exchange, bank checks and promissory notes be treated and
considered as the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, and as public
holidays, except as provided under subsection d. of this section: January 1,
known as New Year's Day; the third Monday in January, known as Martin Luther
King's Birthday; February 12, known as Lincoln's Birthday; the third Monday in
February, known as Washington's Birthday; the day designated and known as Good
Friday;
the day designated and known as Vaisakhi;
the last Monday in
May, known as Memorial Day; the third Friday in June, Juneteenth Day; July 4,
known as Independence Day; the first Monday in September, known as Labor Day;
the second Monday in October, known as Columbus Day;
the day designated and
known as Bandi Chhor Divas;
November 11, known as Armistice Day or Veterans'
Day; the fourth Thursday in November, known as Thanksgiving Day; December 25,
known as Christmas Day; any general election day in this State; every Saturday;
and any day heretofore or hereafter appointed, ordered or recommended by the
Governor of this State, or the President of the United States, as a day of
fasting and prayer, or other religious observance, or as a bank holiday or
holidays.� All such bills, checks and notes, otherwise presentable for
acceptance or payment on any of the days herein enumerated, shall be deemed to
be payable and be presentable for acceptance or payment on the secular or
business day next succeeding any such holiday.

���� b.��� Whenever any of the days
herein enumerated can and shall fall on a Sunday, the Monday next following
shall, for any of the purposes herein enumerated be deemed a public holiday,
except as provided under subsection d. of this section; and bills of exchange,
checks and promissory notes which otherwise would be presentable for acceptance
or payment on such Monday shall be deemed to be presentable for acceptance or
payment on the secular or business day next succeeding such holiday.

���� c.���� In construing this
section, every Saturday shall, until 12 o'clock noon, be deemed a secular or
business day, except as is hereinbefore provided in regard to bills of
exchange, bank checks and promissory notes, and the days herein enumerated
except bank holidays and Saturdays shall be considered as the first day of the
week, commonly called Sunday, and public holidays, for all purposes whatsoever
as regards the transaction of business in the public offices of this State, or
counties of this State, except as provided under subsection d. of this section;
but on all other days or half days, except Sunday or as otherwise provided by
law, such offices shall be kept open for the transaction of business.

���� d.��� Notwithstanding the
provisions of subsections a. through c. of this section, when the provisions of
this subsection take effect, the following day each calendar year shall not be
considered a public holiday for the purposes of conducting State government
business:

���� February 12, known as
Lincoln's Birthday.

���� All public offices of State
government in this State shall be open on this day for the transaction of
business.

(cf: P.L.2020, c.76, s.2)

���� 3.��� This act shall take
effect on January 1 next following the date of enactment.

STATEMENT

���� This bill designates Vaisakhi
and Bandi Chhor Divas as public holidays in this State.�

���� Sikhism is represented by the
central principles of truthful living, service to humanity, and devotion to
God.� Founded by Guru Nanak in the Punjab region of India during the 15th
century, the Sikh spiritual tradition is rooted in the belief that every person,
regardless of race, gender, sex, or creed, is equal before God.� Sikhism is the
world�s fifth-largest religion with nearly 30 million adherents.� Approximately
one million Sikhs call the United States home, some of whom have families that
began immigrating to the United States over 100 years ago.� Sikh spiritual
tradition and the founding principles of the United States contain significant
similarities, such as the belief of the equality of persons before God and a
commitment to public service to one�s neighbor and nation.

���� Vaisakhi is a Sikh day of
gathering and celebration that originated more than 300 years ago.� It is a
harvest festival that marks the day in which the tenth in a line of gurus, or
spiritual leaders, unified Sikhs and formalized many aspects of the faith.�
Vaisakhi typically falls on April 13 or April 14 of each year and marks the
first day of the month Vaisakh in the Sikh calendar.� It was on Vaisakhi that
the mandatory outward identity was established, ensuring that Sikhs may stand
out and be called upon for help.� Vaisakhi is often celebrated by Sikhs
attending their local gurdwara to worship, meditate, and to participate in
langar, which is a free community meal prepared and served by volunteers at
gurdwaras.

���� Bandi Chhor Divas, meaning
liberation of prisoners day, is a Sikh day of gathering and celebration which
commemorates Guru Hargobind Sahib�s release from Gwalior Fort prison in the
17th century.� The sixth guru refused to be released unless other innocent
princes were also freed and returned to the holy city of Amritsar.� Emperor
Jahangir, his captor, said that those who clung to the guru's coat would be
able to go free.� This was meant to limit the number of prisoners who could be
released.� In response, Guru Hargobind had a coat made with 52 tassels attached
to it so that all of the princes could leave prison with him.� This story
reminds Sikhs of freedom and human rights, and on Bandi Chhor Divas, these
principles are celebrated.� This day, which typically falls in the autumn, is
celebrated by the lighting of homes and gurdwaras, a celebratory street
procession called nagar kirtan, langar, and fireworks displays.� Gifts,
especially dried fruits and sweets, are often exchanged during this day.��