Overview

• Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 268, authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, with the law set to take effect Jan. 1.
• California becomes the third state to codify Diwali as a state holiday, joining Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
• The designation is largely symbolic and does not require schools or government offices to close.
• Advocacy from groups including the Hindu American Foundation and the Coalition of Hindus in North America helped advance the measure.
• Tens of thousands attended Bay Area celebrations as reporting noted California is home to about 960,000 Indian residents, roughly 20% of the U.S. total.