Wisconsin Senate Bill SB114

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/23
• Refer: 3/8/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

The establishment of November 11 as a day on which the offices of the agencies of state government are closed. (FE)

Impact

The passage of SB114 will have a direct impact on how state holidays are recognized in Wisconsin. With this bill, the existing framework for paid holidays will be modified, impacting the benefits received by state employees. Currently, state law provides for a set number of holidays; this bill will add another, thereby increasing overall paid time off for government workers, which in turn could influence employee morale and retention in public service jobs.

Summary

Senate Bill 114 aims to officially establish November 11 as a recognized state holiday, aligning with Veterans Day, during which state government offices will be closed. This legislative move not only aims to honor veterans but also aims to amend existing statutes regarding paid holidays for state employees. By creating this holiday, the bill seeks to ensure that state employees receive an additional paid holiday per year, increasing their total from nine to ten paid holidays annually.

Contention

While the bill gained support among proponents who see it as a fitting tribute to veterans, there is potential for contention regarding adjustments to the existing holiday structure for state employees. Specifically, the bill eliminates the personal floating holiday previously recognized in honor of Veterans Day, which may be viewed unfavorably by some state employees. Discussions around balancing the need to honor veterans with ensuring fair employee benefits are likely to arise as the bill progresses through the legislative process.