Alabama lawmakers send Juneteenth holiday bill to Gov. Kay Ivey

The Alabama Senate Wednesday gave final approval to a bill making Juneteenth a state holiday in Alabama.

HB 165, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm, R-Dothan, closes state government offices on June 19 for the holiday, which celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. The bill passed on a 13-5 vote. Nearly half of the Senate body abstained from voting. 

Sen. Tim Melson, R-Decatur; Sen. Larry Stutts, R-Tuscambia; Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville; Sen. Jack Williams, R-Wilmer and Sen. April Weaver, R-Alabaster, voted against the bill. 

Sen. Andrew Jones, R-Centre; Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills; Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville; Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, and Sen. David Sessions, R-Grand Bay, voted with Senate Democrats in favor of the bill.

The legislation passed after years of efforts by Black Democrats in the Alabama Legislature, who either saw their proposals rejected or were effectively forced by Republicans to pair Juneteenth with Jefferson Davis’ Birthday, a state holiday honoring the slaveholder and white supremacist who said that Black Americans were “fitted expressly for human servitude.”

Rep. Juanadalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, sponsored a bill last year that would have required state employees to choose Juneteenth or Jefferson Davis’ Birthday as their day off, a choice not required of any other state holiday. 

House Black Democrats said during the debate on the bill last year that they struggled to vote for the legislation because of the Davis requirement. The House approved the bill, but it did not reach the Senate floor for a vote. Rehm’s bill as passed makes Juneteenth a standalone holiday.

The bill goes to Gov. Kay Ivey, who has made Juneteenth a state holiday for the last four years. A message seeking comment was left with Ivey’s office on Wednesday. Gina Maiola, a spokesperson for the governor, said in a text message Ivey plans to sign the legislation.

Juneteenth has also been a federally recognized holiday since 2021.

This story was updated at 3:22 p.m. to indicate Gov. Kay Ivey plans to sign the bill.