BILL ANALYSIS Ó ACR 2 Page 1 Date of Hearing: March 2, 2015 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES Gordon, Chair ACR 2 (Nazarian) - As Amended February 24, 2015 SUBJECT: Persian New Year. SUMMARY: Recognizes the Persian New Year celebration beginning on March 21, 2015. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings: 1)Nowrkz, meaning the "New Day," marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar; and, is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 20 or the following day depending on where it is observed. 2)The Persian New Year is celebrated and observed principally in Iran and has spread to other parts of the world, including parts of Central Asia, the Caucasus, Northwestern China, the Crimea, and some groups in the Balkans; and, the Canadian Parliament, by unanimous consent, passed a bill on March 30, 2009, to add Nowrkz to the national calendar of Canada. 3)The 2010 United States Census has stated that the Iranian population in California has grown to over 200,000 residents with some in the Iranian community believing the number may be four times that amount. The largest community of Iranian decent in the United States resides in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills area of California. 4)For the people celebrating Nowrkz, it is a time to appreciate ACR 2 Page 2 their rich heritage and to move forward with hope for a prosperous new year ahead filled with health, wealth, love, joy, and success. FISCAL EFFECT: None REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION: Support None on file Opposition None on file Analysis Prepared by: Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800