SB 2724 would remove Confederate Heroes Day from the list of Texas state holidays. The bill amends the Election Code and Government Code so that the definition of a state holiday no longer includes January 19, which is currently designated as Confederate Heroes Day in honor of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other Confederate figures. It also updates related holiday cross-references so that legal holiday provisions continue to point only to the remaining state holidays.
The bill does not create a new holiday or change the dates of the other state holidays. Instead, it eliminates Confederate Heroes Day from the statutory holiday schedule effective September 1, 2025. As a result, state law would no longer recognize that date as a state holiday for purposes tied to holiday definitions in the Election Code and Government Code.
Impact
If enacted, SB 2724 would amend Texas statutes governing state and legal holidays by deleting Confederate Heroes Day from Government Code Section 662.003 and conforming related references in the Election Code and Section 662.021. This would affect state holiday recognition, including any legal consequences tied to the definition of a state holiday, while leaving the rest of the holiday calendar unchanged. The practical impact would be on state agencies, public employees, and any statutes or administrative rules that rely on the state holiday list.
Sentiment
The bill title and text indicate a clear policy goal of abolishing Confederate Heroes Day, suggesting support from those who view the holiday as inappropriate or inconsistent with modern state values. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, amendments, or recorded opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill’s narrow scope and the absence of recorded discussion, the available context suggests a straightforward, likely symbolic measure focused on holiday designation rather than broader policy change.
Contention
The main point of contention is the removal of Confederate Heroes Day itself, which historically honors Confederate leaders such as Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee. Supporters would likely frame the bill as a step away from commemorating the Confederacy, while opponents could view it as erasing a longstanding state observance or as a symbolic political statement. No specific legislators, witnesses, or interest groups are identified in the provided materials, so the disagreement can only be inferred from the subject matter.