Indigenous Peoples' Day; declare second Monday in October as a day of observance.

HB 1291 (Indigenous Peoples' Day; declare second Monday in October as a day of observance) amends Mississippi's code to officially recognize the second Monday in October as "Indigenous Peoples' Day." This observance aims to acknowledge Native American heritage, culture, and contributions to the U.S., emphasizing that Indigenous peoples are the "first inhabitants" of the land. The bill explicitly states this designation is for "commemoration, recognition and observation" only and **not** a legal holiday, similar to existing designations like Elvis Day or Hernando de Soto Day. It affects state-level recognition practices, requiring official acknowledgment of this day in Mississippi's calendar of observances starting July 1, 2025.