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City Manager’s Office <br />www.santa-ana.org/cm <br />Item # 25 <br />City of Santa Ana <br />20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 <br /> Staff Report <br />July 1, 2025 <br />TOPIC: Resolution Supporting Assembly Bill 91 (MENA Act) <br />AGENDA TITLE <br />Resolution Supporting Assembly Bill 91 - Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) <br />Inclusion Act <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Adopt a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 91, the Middle Eastern and North African <br />(MENA) Inclusion Act, which requires state and local agencies to collect and report <br />disaggregated demographic data for MENA populations. <br />RESOLUTION NO. 2025-XXX entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF <br />THE CITY OF SANTA ANA SUPPORTING THE MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH <br />AFRICAN INCLUSION ACT (ASSEMBLY BILL 91) <br />GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No <br />DISCUSSION <br />The City of Santa Ana is a diverse and inclusive community that is enriched by the <br />cultural, economic, and civic contributions of residents from all backgrounds. The Middle <br />Eastern and North African (MENA) community is an integral part of this diversity and <br />plays a significant role in the city's social and economic life. <br />Despite their growing presence, MENA individuals have historically been <br />underrepresented in demographic data collection due to the absence of a specific racial <br />or ethnic classification in state and federal reporting systems. This lack of accurate <br />representation presents barriers for the MENA community in accessing public services, <br />educational resources, health care, and other critical programs. <br />Assembly Bill 91, authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian, seeks to address <br />this issue by requiring state and local agencies that collect demographic data to include <br />specific MENA categories and report this data in demographic summaries starting <br />January 1, 2027. This bill is a critical step toward promoting equity, accurate