Overview
- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2455 on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, officially establishing May 17 as Bruce Lee Day in California.
- The statute does not create a paid state holiday or require closures and instead encourages voluntary school lessons, cultural exhibits and public events.
- Assemblymember Matt Haney authored the bill and the state Senate approved it unanimously, 38-0, before it reached the governor's desk.
- Shannon Lee and the Bruce Lee Foundation, along with Asian American groups and local cultural organizations, welcomed the designation as recognition of Lee’s impact on film, martial arts and representation.
- The first official observance is set for May 17, 2027, and the move highlights California’s use of commemorative days to teach history and raise visibility for Chinese American contributions.