State and local agencies: demographic 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.