HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 25 - Resolution Supporting Assembly Bill 91 - Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) City Manager’s Office
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Item # 25
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
July 1, 2025
TOPIC: Resolution Supporting Assembly Bill 91 (MENA Act)
AGENDA TITLE
Resolution Supporting Assembly Bill 91 - Middle Eastern and North African (MENA)
Inclusion Act
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Adopt a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 91, the Middle Eastern and North African
(MENA) Inclusion Act, which requires state and local agencies to collect and report
disaggregated demographic data for MENA populations.
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SANTA ANA SUPPORTING THE MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH
AFRICAN INCLUSION ACT (ASSEMBLY BILL 91)
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
The City of Santa Ana is a diverse and inclusive community that is enriched by the
cultural, economic, and civic contributions of residents from all backgrounds. The Middle
Eastern and North African (MENA) community is an integral part of this diversity and
plays a significant role in the city's social and economic life.
Despite their growing presence, MENA individuals have historically been
underrepresented in demographic data collection due to the absence of a specific racial
or ethnic classification in state and federal reporting systems. This lack of accurate
representation presents barriers for the MENA community in accessing public services,
educational resources, health care, and other critical programs.
Assembly Bill 91, authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian, seeks to address
this issue by requiring state and local agencies that collect demographic data to include
specific MENA categories and report this data in demographic summaries starting
January 1, 2027. This bill is a critical step toward promoting equity, accurate
Resolution Supporting Assembly Bill 91 (MENA Act)
July 1, 2025
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representation, and improved access to services for the MENA community.
The proposed resolution formally supports AB 91 and recognizes the MENA community
as a distinct racial and ethnic group, affirming the City of Santa Ana’s commitment to
equity, inclusion, and the fair treatment of all its residents.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with this action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Resolution No. 2025-XXX Supporting the Middle Eastern and North African
Inclusion Act (Assembly Bill 91)
Submitted By: Sylvia Vazquez, Deputy City Manager
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager
Resolution No. 2025-XXX
Page 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA SUPPORTING THE MIDDLE EASTERN AND
NORTH AFRICAN INCLUSION ACT (ASSEMBLY BILL 91)
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana is a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming
community that values the cultural, economic, and social contributions of all its residents,
regardless of racial, ethnic, or cultural background; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana is home to a growing Middle Eastern and North
African (MENA) community composed of individuals of different nationalities, ancestries,
and origins from the MENA region, who contribute significantly to the city’s economy,
culture, and civic life; and
WHEREAS, data from the U.S. Census and other agencies has historically
undercounted the MENA community due to the lack of a distinct demographic category,
leading to inaccurate representation and barriers in accessing health, educational, and
economic resources; and
WHEREAS, representational data is essential for ensuring that MENA
communities have a voice in policymaking, civic engagement, equitable resource
allocation, and advocacy efforts; and
WHEREAS, the State of California is home to the largest MENA population in the
United States, yet state and local agencies have not disaggregated demographic data to
specifically account for MENA individuals, limiting the community’s access to state -
supported programs and services; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 91 (AB 91) by Assembly Member John Harabedian,
seeks to address this inequity by requiring state and local agencies that collect
demographic data to include separate categories and tabulations for major MENA groups
and to publish this data in demographic reports on or after January 1, 2027; and
WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 91 will help ensure that the MENA community is
accurately represented and will promote equitable access to public resources and
opportunities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Santa
Ana hereby formally supports Assembly Bill 91, the Middle Eastern and North African
Inclusion Act, and recognizes the importance of accurate representation and equitable
treatment of the MENA community in California.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Sa nta Ana formally recognizes the
Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) community as a distinct racial and ethnic group
Resolution No. 2025-XXX
Page 2 of 2
with unique cultural, economic, and social contributions to the City of Santa Ana and the
State of California.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon
its adoption by the City Council, and the City Clerk shall attest to and certify the vote
adopting this Resolution.
ADOPTED this _____ day of ____________, 2025.
________________________________
Valerie Amezcua
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By:
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers _
CERTIFICATION OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, Jennifer L. Hall, City Clerk, do hereby attest to and certify the attached Resolution No.
2025-XXX to be the original resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa
Ana on _______________.
Date: ______________________ ________________________________
City Clerk
City of Santa Ana