2023 House Bill 4446

Holidays: other; Diwali; designate as a holiday.

A bill to designate Diwali, Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights as a holiday in this state.

House Fiscal Agency Analysis

House Bill 4446 would create a new act to designate Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, as a holiday in Michigan. Specifically, the legislature would declare that the new moon day on the eighth lunar month under the Indic pur?imanta lunisolar calendar shall be known as Diwali, Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights, a holiday celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs.

Introduced in the House

April 25, 2023

Introduced by Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-24) and 20 co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Abraham Aiyash (D-9), Laurie Pohutsky (D-17), Christine Morse (D-40), Carol Glanville (D-84), Helena Scott (D-7), Alabas Farhat (D-3), Dylan Wegela (D-26), Kelly Breen (D-21), Erin Byrnes (D-15), Felicia Brabec (D-33), Jaime Churches (D-27), Veronica Paiz (D-11), Stephanie Young (D-16), Amos O’Neal (D-94), Sharon MacDonell (D-56), Rachel Hood (D-81), Carrie Rheingans (D-47), Lori Stone (D-13), Jim Haadsma (D-44) and Julie Brixie (D-73)

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations

June 14, 2023

Reported without amendment

Sept. 13, 2023

Passed in the House 89 to 19 (details)

Motion to give immediate effect by Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-9)

The motion prevailed by voice vote

Received in the Senate

Sept. 14, 2023

Referred to the Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety