The House Economic Development Workforce Services Committee voted to favorably recommend second substitute HB 351, the Election Day amendments, which replaces the state holiday observance of Columbus Day with Election Day as a state holiday.

Sponsor Representative Wilcox said the change would make Election Day a state holiday only, leaving the federal Columbus Day recognition unchanged. "That'll allow us to avoid any of the financial issues that we were discussing in the last cycle for election day, which is the intent to prioritize," the sponsor said.

Committee members asked about outreach to groups that commemorate Columbus Day and whether making Election Day a state holiday would increase turnout. The sponsor said jurisdictions that have made the change in other places have not seen reduced turnout and expressed openness to discussion about alternative approaches, such as funding time off for voting.

Representative Shelley said she was concerned about removing a long-standing holiday honoring Columbus on the state calendar; the sponsor replied Columbus Day will still be recognized federally and that the bill was intended to prioritize voting access.

The committee approved the second substitute and then voted to favorably recommend HB 351 (second substitute) to the House floor. The transcript records Representative Shelley in opposition to the committee recommendation.