Utah Senate Bill 193 proposes adding Good Friday to the state holiday calendar while removing the statutory reference to Easter Sunday.
TLDR
Utah Senate Bill 193, introduced by Senator Keven Stratton, seeks to designate the Friday before Easter Sunday as a legal state holiday. If passed, state offices and courts would close, providing a paid day of rest for public employees. The bill simultaneously removes Easter Sunday from the legal holiday list, as the state already observes a five day work week and offices are closed on Sundays. Twelve other states currently recognize Good Friday, but the practice remains legally controversial. Opponents argue that the holiday lacks secular traditions and violates the Establishment Clause. Supporters contend that the move is a practical accommodation for the religious practices of a majority of Utah residents and aligns with historical traditions.
Bill: Utah Senate Bill 193 (SB193)
Date: 2026 General Session
Link: Utah State Legislature – SB193
Utah law will officially recognize Good Friday as a state holiday and remove Easter Sunday from the statutory list if SB193 receives legislative and gubernatorial approval. This change requires the closure of state agencies on the Friday preceding Easter Sunday. The legislation intends to formalize a day of rest that many residents already observe for religious and family reasons.
This story is significant because it tests the boundaries of the Establishment Clause within the Tenth Circuit. Unlike Christmas, Good Friday is viewed by some courts as a purely religious observance. The bill forces a debate on whether state governments can prioritize a Christian holy day without unconstitutionally endorsing a specific faith.
What are the specific changes proposed in SB193?
The bill amends Section 63G-1-301 of the Utah Code. It adds “the Friday preceding Easter Sunday” to the list of legal holidays. At the same time, it deletes the current language that lists “Easter Sunday” as a holiday. This is a technical shift intended to move the state’s formal recognition to a business day. The bill reorders the calendar to place the new holiday between Washington and Lincoln Day in February and Memorial Day in May.
Which other states recognize Good Friday as a legal holiday?
Currently, 12 states recognize Good Friday as a full or partial holiday. These include Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky (half-day), Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas. In these states, government offices and many banks close. The legal defense for these holidays often relies on the “secular purpose” of providing a day of rest that coincides with expected high absenteeism in the private sector.
Is it worthwhile to get involved on either side of SB193?
Engagement is valuable for citizens because this bill affects taxpayer resources and constitutional precedents. Here is a look at the two perspectives:
The Case for Support: If you believe the state should accommodate the religious traditions of its citizens, getting involved helps ensure the bill passes. Proponents argue that state employees should not have to use personal leave for a day that is a central part of their faith.
The Case for Opposition: If you are concerned about religious neutrality, your involvement is necessary to challenge the bill. Critics argue that tax dollars should not pay for a religious holiday that lacks secularized customs. They often suggest that the state should instead offer “floating holidays” that allow all employees to observe their own faiths equally.
What legal challenges could Utah face if the bill passes?
Because Utah is in the Tenth Circuit, the state must follow specific federal precedents. The Seventh Circuit struck down a Good Friday holiday in Metzl v. Leininger, calling it an unconstitutional promotion of Christianity. However, the Ninth Circuit upheld a similar holiday in Cammack v. Waihee by focusing on the “secular” benefit of a day of rest. Utah must avoid religious language in its legislative record to survive a similar challenge. If the state argues the holiday is purely for administrative convenience, it is more likely to be upheld.
Commentary
The debate over SB193 is a classic conflict between religious accommodation and government neutrality. In the Tenth Circuit, judges generally respect historical traditions and allow the government to acknowledge the religious life of its people as long as it does not “coerce” participation. A paid day off is a benefit, not a mandate to worship. This makes it harder for opponents to prove that the state is forcing religion on anyone.
However, the state is on thin ice when it picks one holy day over another. In a pluralistic society, the appearance of favoritism is a serious legal risk. If Utah recognizes Good Friday but ignores the holy days of Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu citizens, the “secular purpose” argument begins to look like a pretext for religious preference. The state must be careful to frame this as a labor issue rather than a theological one.
From a practical standpoint, the “absenteeism” defense is the state’s best weapon. If a large percentage of workers are already taking the day off, it is a waste of money to keep the lights on and the heat running in empty government buildings. This is a pragmatic, cost-saving argument that usually satisfies federal judges.
Ultimately, getting involved in this legislative process is about defining the identity of the state. Is Utah a state that comfortably accommodates its religious heritage, or is it a state that maintains a strict, secular distance from all faith traditions? The outcome of SB193 will provide a clear answer.
Citations
Utah State Legislature. “SB193 State Legal Holiday Amendments.” le.utah.gov.
Cammack v. Waihee, 932 F.2d 765 (9th Cir. 1991). link
Metzl v. Leininger, 57 F.3d 618 (7th Cir. 1995). caselaw.findlaw.com.
Subscription Call
Like, share, and subscribe to ReligiousLiberty.TV for the latest updates on SB193 and other breaking legal news. Subscribers get access to breaking news and case information regarding your first amendment rights.
Disclaimers
AI Disclaimer: This article was assisted by AI.
Legal Disclaimer: This does not constitute legal advice. Readers are encouraged to talk to licensed attorneys about their particular situations.
Tags
Utah SB193, Good Friday, First Amendment, State Holidays, Religious Freedom