Relating to the designation of Diwali and Dashain as optional holidays.

HB 1471 adds Diwali and Dashain to Texas's list of optional holidays for state employees. The bill allows state workers observing these festivals to choose one day during each celebration as an optional holiday, similar to existing options for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Good Friday. It directly affects Texas state employees who practice Hinduism or follow the Dashain tradition. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and makes no changes to employee pay or work requirements for these days.