State and local agencies: demographic data.
- Requires state agencies to collect detailed demographic data for Middle Eastern and North African groups by 2026.
- Mandates public reporting of Middle Eastern and North African demographic data starting January 2027.
- Protects individual privacy by requiring agencies to aggregate data before public release.
- Applies to all California cities and requires regular updates based on U.S. Census data.
Assembly Member Harabedian's Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Act would require California state and local agencies to collect and report detailed demographic data for MENA populations beginning in 2026. The legislation establishes specific categories for Middle Eastern groups (including Afghan, Iranian, Israeli, and Lebanese), North African groups (such as Egyptian, Moroccan, and Tunisian), and transnational MENA groups (including Armenian, Assyrian, and Kurdish).
Under the proposed requirements, agencies must incorporate these detailed MENA categories into demographic data collection by January 2026 and include the data in all relevant reports starting January 2027. The categories would be updated within 18 months following each decennial census to align with federal reporting. Agencies must make the aggregated data publicly available, including through their websites, while maintaining statistical reliability and protecting individual privacy.
The bill applies to all California cities and counties, including charter cities. While the University of California system is requested to participate, the California State University system falls under the mandatory requirements. The Commission on State Mandates will determine whether local agencies require state reimbursement for implementation costs.
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Tom UmbergD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Lisa CalderonD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Akilah Weber PiersonD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | PASS |
- Requires state agencies to collect detailed demographic data for Middle Eastern and North African groups by 2026.
- Mandates public reporting of Middle Eastern and North African demographic data starting January 2027.
- Protects individual privacy by requiring agencies to aggregate data before public release.
- Applies to all California cities and requires regular updates based on U.S. Census data.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Harabedian's Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Act would require California state and local agencies to collect and report detailed demographic data for MENA populations beginning in 2026. The legislation establishes specific categories for Middle Eastern groups (including Afghan, Iranian, Israeli, and Lebanese), North African groups (such as Egyptian, Moroccan, and Tunisian), and transnational MENA groups (including Armenian, Assyrian, and Kurdish).
Under the proposed requirements, agencies must incorporate these detailed MENA categories into demographic data collection by January 2026 and include the data in all relevant reports starting January 2027. The categories would be updated within 18 months following each decennial census to align with federal reporting. Agencies must make the aggregated data publicly available, including through their websites, while maintaining statistical reliability and protecting individual privacy.
The bill applies to all California cities and counties, including charter cities. While the University of California system is requested to participate, the California State University system falls under the mandatory requirements. The Commission on State Mandates will determine whether local agencies require state reimbursement for implementation costs.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 | PASS |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Tom UmbergD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Lisa CalderonD Assembly Member | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Akilah Weber PiersonD Senator | Bill Author | Not Contacted |