[Rev. 6/29/2024 3:22:53 PM--2023]
CHAPTER 236 - HOLIDAYS AND PERIODS OF OBSERVANCE
HOLIDAYS
NRS 236.015 Legal holidays; closing of state, county and city offices, courts, public schools and Nevada System of Higher Education.
PERIODS OF OBSERVANCE
NRS 236.018 Arbor Day.
NRS 236.020 Mother’s Day.
NRS 236.025 Columbus Day.
NRS 236.027 Cesar Chavez Day.
NRS 236.030 Law Day U.S.A.
NRS 236.032 Asian Culture Day.
NRS 236.033 Juneteenth Day. [Repealed.]
NRS 236.035 Constitution Week and Constitution Day.
NRS 236.036 Sarah Winnemucca Day.
NRS 236.037 Indigenous Peoples Day.
NRS 236.038 Nevada Tribes Legislative Day.
NRS 236.040 Nevada All-Indian Stampede Days and Native American Day.
NRS 236.041 Healthcare Decisions Day.
NRS 236.043 Buffalo Soldiers Day.
NRS 236.045 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
NRS 236.047 Veterans Day at the Legislature.
NRS 236.050 Nevada Mineral Industry Week.
NRS 236.053 Public Lands Day.
NRS 236.055 Tartan Day.
NRS 236.063 Peace Week.
NRS 236.065 Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Week.
NRS 236.067 Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
NRS 236.070 Nevada Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.
NRS 236.073 Week of Respect.
NRS 236.074 World Esports Day.
NRS 236.075 Archeological Awareness and Historic Preservation Month.
NRS 236.085 Paleontological Awareness Month.
NRS 236.090 Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
NRS 236.095 Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month.
_________
HOLIDAYS
NRS 236.015 Legal holidays; closing of state, county and city offices, courts, public schools and Nevada System of Higher Education.
1. The following days are declared to be legal holidays for state, county and city governmental offices:
January 1 (New Year’s Day)
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is on January 15 but is to be observed on the third Monday in January
Washington’s birthday is on February 22 but is to be observed on the third Monday in February
Last Monday in May (Memorial Day)
June 19 (Juneteenth Day)
July 4 (Independence Day)
First Monday in September (Labor Day)
Nevada Day is October 31 but is to be observed on the last Friday in October
November 11 (Veterans Day)
Fourth Thursday in November (Thanksgiving Day)
Friday following the fourth Thursday in November (Family Day)
December 25 (Christmas Day)
Any day that may be appointed by the President of the United States for public fast, thanksgiving or as a legal holiday except for any Presidential appointment of the fourth Monday in October as Veterans Day.
2. Except as otherwise provided by NRS 293.560 and 293C.527, all state, county and city offices, courts, public schools and the Nevada System of Higher Education must close on the legal holidays enumerated in subsection 1 unless in the case of appointed holidays all or a part thereof are specifically exempted.
3. If January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11 or December 25 falls upon a:
(a) Sunday, the Monday following must be observed as a legal holiday.
(b) Saturday, the Friday preceding must be observed as a legal holiday.
(Added to NRS by 1969, 560; A 1971, 589, 1320, 2083; 1975, 829; 1979, 603; 1987, 215; 1989, 684; 1993, 368, 2199; 1997, 3474, 3515; 1999, 679, 2410; 2023, 1463)
PERIODS OF OBSERVANCE
1. The last Friday in April of each year is established as Arbor Day in the State of Nevada.
2. The Governor shall proclaim the same at least 1 month prior thereto, setting forth in the proclamation a recommendation that Arbor Day be observed by the people of this State in the planting of trees, shrubs and vines, in the promotion of forest growth and culture, in the adornment of public and private grounds, places and ways, and in such other efforts and undertakings as shall be in harmony with the character of Arbor Day.
3. Arbor Day shall be observed with appropriate exercises by the public schools of this State.
[248:32:1956]
NRS 236.020 Mother’s Day. The Governor of this State is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling upon the state officials to display the United States flag on all state and school buildings, and the people of the State to display the flag at their homes, lodges, churches and places of business, and other suitable places, on the second Sunday in May, known as “Mother’s Day,” founded by Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, as a public expression of love and reverence for the mothers of our State and other women serving it, and as an inspiration for better homes and closer ties between the home and the State.
[1:26:1921; NCL § 3305]
NRS 236.025 Columbus Day. The Governor of this State is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the second Monday in October as “Columbus Day” in commemoration of the arrival of Cristoforo Columbo in the New World.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 684)
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim March 31 to be “Cesar Chavez Day” in the State of Nevada.
2. The proclamation may call upon the news media, educators, business and labor leaders and appropriate governmental officers to bring to the attention of Nevada residents the important contributions Cesar Chavez made to the State of Nevada and the United States.
(Added to NRS by 2009, 388)
1. May 1 of each year shall be designated as Law Day U.S.A.
2. It is not the purpose of this section to declare a legal holiday, but a day to declare solemn allegiance to the principles of democracy and respect for law.
(Added to NRS by 1963, 502)
NRS 236.032 Asian Culture Day.
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim May 18 to be “Asian Culture Day” in the State of Nevada.
2. The proclamation must call upon the news media, educators, business and labor leaders and appropriate governmental officers to bring to the attention of Nevada residents the important contributions of Asians and Asian-Americans to the State of Nevada and the United States of America.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 113)
NRS 236.033 Juneteenth Day. Repealed. (See chapter 231, Statutes of Nevada 2023, at page 1465.)
NRS 236.035 Constitution Week and Constitution Day.
1. The Governor may annually proclaim the third week in September to be “Constitution Week” and September 17 to be “Constitution Day” to commemorate the historical contributions that the United States Constitution has made to citizens and its significance in preserving the individual freedoms, liberties and common welfare of the people who live in the United States of America.
2. The proclamation may:
(a) Call upon the news media, educators, state and local officers, professional, business and labor leaders, and others in positions of authority or influence to bring to the attention of the citizens of this State the importance of the United States Constitution in shaping and articulating the basic values that underlie the unique character of American civilization and culture, based on the belief that sovereignty emanates from the people who comprise a society and that governmental authority is based upon the consent of the governed;
(b) Encourage elected and appointed officers and employees at all levels of government and in all public and educational institutions to develop new programs and new ideas by which the citizens of this State and nation can:
(1) Better understand and improve the effectiveness of all branches of government established within the American constitutional system; and
(2) Increase the extent and quality of their participation in the development of public policy and the improvement of the operation of government at all levels;
(c) Encourage citizens of this State to assist elected and appointed officers and employees at all levels of government, and in all public and educational institutions, to develop new programs and new ideas to increase the extent and quality of the participation of the citizens of this State in the development of public policy and the improvement of the operation of government at all levels;
(d) Direct interested citizens and appropriate officers and agencies to develop recommendations by which federal, state and local policies for the preservation of historical records can be formulated and put into effect, so that the cultural and informational resources that are essential to a constitutional form of government are preserved and made accessible to present and future generations of citizens;
(e) Remind all citizens that the preservation of the American constitutional form of government, and the freedom and liberty guaranteed by the United States Constitution, are based upon the responsibility of each citizen to uphold and defend the Constitution; and
(f) Request all citizens to submit any information they may have concerning a program, activity, event, proposal or any other action to increase the extent and quality of participation of citizens in the:
(1) Development of public policy; and
(2) Improvement of the operation of government at all levels,
Ê to the Division of State Library, Archives and Public Records of the Department of Administration.
(Added to NRS by 1989, 1939; A 1997, 3275; 2013, 56)
NRS 236.036 Sarah Winnemucca Day.
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim October 16 to be “Sarah Winnemucca Day” in the State of Nevada.
2. The proclamation must call upon the news media, educators, business and labor leaders and appropriate governmental officers to bring to the attention of Nevada residents the important contributions Sarah Winnemucca made to the Paiute Tribe, the State of Nevada and the United States.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 1012)
NRS 236.037 Indigenous Peoples Day. The Governor is authorized and requested to annually proclaim August 9 as “Indigenous Peoples Day” to celebrate the thriving culture and significant value that indigenous people add to the State of Nevada and the United States of America.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 374)
NRS 236.038 Nevada Tribes Legislative Day. The second Tuesday of February during each regular session of the Legislature is established as “Nevada Tribes Legislative Day” in the State of Nevada in recognition of the contributions American Indians have made to the prosperity and cultural diversity of Nevada and the United States.
(Added to NRS by 2013, 219)
NRS 236.040 Nevada All-Indian Stampede Days and Native American Day. The Governor of this State is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the:
1. Third week of July as “Nevada All-Indian Stampede Days” to be celebrated in Fallon, Nevada; and
2. Fourth Friday of September as Native American Day,
Ê in commemoration of the Indian people and their efforts to maintain their culture, customs and traditions and in recognition of the many contributions of Native Americans to the economic and cultural heritage of all residents of the United States.
(Added to NRS by 1971, 344; A 1989, 19; 1997, 94)
NRS 236.041 Healthcare Decisions Day.
1. April 16 of each year is designated as “Healthcare Decisions Day” in the State of Nevada.
2. The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging the observance of “Healthcare Decisions Day.” The proclamation must, without limitation, call upon the news media, state and local officers, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement communities, hospice facilities, private nonprofit groups and foundations, and other public and private entities to bring to the attention of the adults in this State the importance of discussing the manner in which they would like to have their health care wishes carried out and of using an advance directive to express those wishes.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 35)
NRS 236.043 Buffalo Soldiers Day.
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim July 28 to be “Buffalo Soldiers Day” in the State of Nevada.
2. The proclamation must call upon the news media, educators, business and labor leaders and appropriate governmental officers to bring to the attention of Nevada residents the important contributions Buffalo Soldiers made to the State of Nevada and the United States.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 1208)
NRS 236.045 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
1. December 7 of each year is designated as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to commemorate all the brave and heroic persons who served in the Armed Forces of the United States and defended their country against the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
2. The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging the observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day by calling upon state officers to display the United States flag at half-mast at all state buildings and the residents of this State to display the flag at half-mast at their homes and other suitable places, in honor of the persons who sacrificed their lives in defending their country on December 7, 1941.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 11)
NRS 236.047 Veterans Day at the Legislature. The third Wednesday in March during each regular session of the Legislature is established as “Veterans Day at the Legislature” in the State of Nevada in recognition of the contributions veterans have made to the prosperity of Nevada and the United States.
(Added to NRS by 2015, 558)
NRS 236.050 Nevada Mineral Industry Week.
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim the first week in June to be Nevada Mineral Industry Week to commemorate the important role of mining in the history and economy of the State.
2. The proclamation shall call upon news media, educators and state officials to bring to the attention of Nevada’s citizens the history of mining in the State and the role it plays in the development of the culture and economy of its people.
(Added to NRS by 1971, 132; A 1981, 283)
1. The last Saturday in September of each year is established as “Public Lands Day” in the State of Nevada.
2. The Governor may issue annually a proclamation encouraging the observance of Public Lands Day. The proclamation shall, without limitation:
(a) Call upon the news media, state and local officers, private nonprofit groups and foundations, schools, businesses and other public and private entities to bring to the attention of the residents of this State the importance of the public lands in the State of Nevada;
(b) Recognize the economic, scenic, historical, scientific, aesthetic and other values of the public lands in the State of Nevada; and
(c) Encourage the residents of the State of Nevada to engage in volunteer stewardship activities which contribute to the conservation of the unique public lands which are only found in the State of Nevada.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 1509, 1575)
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim April 6 to be Tartan Day in Nevada to commemorate the contributions that Scots and Scots-Americans have made to the history and development of the United States.
2. The proclamation must call upon news media, educators and state officers to bring to the attention of Nevada’s residents the important contributions the Scots and Scots-Americans have made to the State of Nevada and the United States.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 140)
1. The week of January that begins with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and concludes the following Saturday is designated as “Peace Week” in the State of Nevada.
2. The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging the observance of “Peace Week” which must:
(a) Call upon the news media, educators, business and labor leaders and appropriate governmental officers to bring to the attention of the residents of this State the importance of promoting a culture of peace in this State and around the world;
(b) Encourage schools, individuals, businesses, community organizations and faith-based organizations to participate in the observance of a minute of silence for peace to be observed at noon on the second day of “Peace Week”;
(c) Encourage schools, community organizations and faith-based organizations to offer peace education addressing ways in which persons can:
(1) Build bridges between polarized groups;
(2) Heal community wounds and relationships; and
(3) Advance the science of peace and teach the children of this State to live compassionately;
(d) Encourage residents of this State to:
(1) Engage in quiet reflection;
(2) Volunteer at local community-oriented nonprofit organizations;
(3) Commit to more peaceful in-home communications;
(4) Share time with and devote energy to a person in need of support; and
(5) Learn about a local or global issue relating to people or the environment; and
(e) Promote participation in or the planning of community-wide activities, including, without limitation:
(1) Assemblies and rallies for peace;
(2) Marathons and walks for peace;
(3) Competitions of written, artistic and other creative expressions focused on promoting peace; and
(4) The wearing or displaying of symbols of peace.
(Added to NRS by 2017, 2172)
NRS 236.065 Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Week.
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim the week that begins with Mother’s Day to be Osteoporosis Prevention and Awareness Week in the State of Nevada.
2. The proclamation must call upon news media, educators, health care providers and appropriate governmental officers to:
(a) Bring to the attention of Nevada’s residents factual information regarding the early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis; and
(b) Emphasize the potential for the prevention of the disease.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 440)
NRS 236.067 Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim the third week in March to be “Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.”
2. The proclamation must call upon news media, educators, health care providers and appropriate governmental officers to bring to the attention of the residents of this State factual information and educational programs and materials regarding the signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 326)
NRS 236.070 Nevada Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim the third week in April to be “Nevada Shaken Baby Syndrome Awareness Week.”
2. The proclamation must call upon news media, educators, health care providers and appropriate governmental officers to bring to the attention of the residents of this State:
(a) Factual information regarding shaken baby syndrome, including, without limitation:
(1) Statistical information regarding the number of children who are injured or killed each year as a result of shaken baby syndrome;
(2) The signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome;
(3) The types of injuries, including, without limitation, physical, mental and emotional consequences, which may result from shaken baby syndrome; and
(4) The annual costs of providing medical treatment to children who suffer from shaken baby syndrome in this State; and
(b) Educational programs and materials relating to the prevention of shaken baby syndrome.
3. As used in this section, “shaken baby syndrome” means a form of child abuse in which severe or permanent physical or mental consequences result from violent shaking or shaking and impacting of the head of an infant or small child, including, without limitation:
(a) Various levels of brain damage or other neurological changes due to the destruction of cells of the brain;
(b) Loss of vision;
(c) Paralysis;
(d) Seizures; and
(e) Death.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 20)
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim the first week in October to be “Week of Respect.”
2. The proclamation may call upon:
(a) News media, educators and appropriate government offices to bring to the attention of the residents of Nevada factual information regarding discrimination based on race, bullying and cyber-bullying, including, without limitation:
(1) Statistical information regarding the number of pupils who experience discrimination based on race or are bullied or cyber-bullied each year;
(2) The methods to identify and assist pupils who are at risk of discrimination based on race, bullying or cyber-bullying; and
(3) The methods to prevent discrimination based on race, bullying and cyber-bullying; and
(b) Governing bodies to provide instruction on the ways in which pupils can prevent discrimination based on race, bullying and cyber-bullying during the Week of Respect and throughout the school year that is appropriate for the grade level of pupils who receive the instruction.
3. As used in this section:
(a) “Bullying” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 388.122.
(b) “Cyber-bullying” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 388.123.
(c) “Discrimination based on race” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 388.1235.
(d) “Governing body” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 388.126.
(Added to NRS by 2011, 2247; A 2013, 1638; 2017, 4162; 2021, 3372)
NRS 236.074 World Esports Day.
1. The Governor shall annually proclaim the Saturday immediately preceding the last Saturday in October to be “World Esports Day” in the State of Nevada.
2. The proclamation must call upon the news media, educators, business and labor leaders and appropriate governmental officers to bring to the attention of the residents of Nevada the trailblazing Nevada Esports community and its contributions to this State, as well as building exciting careers in Electronic Sports, such as broadcasting, graphic arts, web design, video game design, coaching, athletics and community building.
(Added to NRS by 2023, 140)
NRS 236.075 Archeological Awareness and Historic Preservation Month.
1. The month of May of each year is designated as Archeological Awareness and Historic Preservation Month in this State.
2. The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging the observance of Archeological Awareness and Historic Preservation Month. The proclamation may, without limitation:
(a) Call upon state and local officers, private nonprofit groups and foundations, schools, businesses and other public and private entities to work toward the goal of preserving the irreplaceable historic, archeological and cultural resources of this State;
(b) Recognize the important contributions of many cultures to the history of this State; and
(c) Recognize the importance of specific historic, archeological and cultural sites in this State, including, without limitation:
(1) Tule Springs in southern Nevada as an area well known in the scientific community as one of the best Pleistocene paleontologic sites in the western United States and in which the fossil remains of several extinct animals have been found, including ground sloths, mammoths, prehistoric horses and American camels;
(2) Springs Preserve in southern Nevada as a site organized to manage the rich cultural and biological resources of the 180-acre Big Springs Archaeological District, which is considered to be the birthplace of the City of Las Vegas and in which archaeological discoveries have been made, including a Pueblo Indian pithouse, one of the last undisturbed spring mounds, pottery, arrowheads and other artifacts, endangered plants and animals, as well as historic buildings and infrastructure from southern Nevada’s first water system; and
(3) Other specific historic, archeological and cultural sites located throughout this State in both urban and rural areas, regardless of whether those sites are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
(Added to NRS by 2007, 2496)
NRS 236.085 Paleontological Awareness Month.
1. The month of April of each year is designated as “Paleontological Awareness Month” in this State.
2. The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging the observance of Paleontological Awareness Month. The proclamation may, without limitation:
(a) Call upon state and local officers, private nonprofit groups and foundations, schools, businesses and other public and private entities to work toward the goal of preserving the paleontological resources of this State;
(b) Recognize the important contribution of prehistoric fossils and other paleontological sites to the history of this State; and
(c) Recognize the importance of specific paleontological sites in this State, including, without limitation:
(1) Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park as one of North America’s most abundant concentrations of Ichthyosaur fossils;
(2) Tule Springs in southern Nevada as an area well known in the scientific community as one of the best Pleistocene paleontological sites in the western United States and an area in which the fossil remains of many extinct animals have been found, including, without limitation, ground sloths, mammoths, prehistoric horses, giant American lions, giant bison, llamas and American camels; and
(3) Other specific paleontological sites located throughout this State.
(Added to NRS by 2009, 384)
NRS 236.090 Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
1. The month of October of each year is designated as “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” in this State.
2. The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging the observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The proclamation may, without limitation:
(a) Call upon state and local governmental agencies, private nonprofit groups and foundations, schools, businesses and other public and private entities to work toward the goal of helping all Americans stay safer and more secure online;
(b) Recognize the danger that cybersecurity threats pose to the economy and public infrastructure of this State; and
(c) Recognize the importance of collaboration among the departments and agencies in this State, the Federal Government and the private sector to keep this State safe from cybersecurity threats and to protect the residents of this State in the digital domain.
(Added to NRS by 2019, 2463)
NRS 236.095 Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month.
1. The month of September of each year is designated as “Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month” in this State.
2. The Governor shall issue annually a proclamation encouraging the observance of Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month. The proclamation must, without limitation, call upon news media, educators, health care providers and appropriate governmental officers to:
(a) Bring to the attention of Nevada’s residents factual information regarding the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian and prostate cancer; and
(b) Emphasize the potential for the prevention of ovarian and prostate cancer.
(Added to NRS by 2021, 519)