SENATE RULES COMMITTEE SR 25
Office of Senate Floor Analyses
(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478
THIRD READING
Bill No: SR 25
Author: Gonzalez (D)
Introduced: 4/10/23
Vote: Majority
SUBJECT: Khmer New Year Week
SOURCE: Author
DIGEST: This resolution recognizes the week of April 10 to April 16, 2023,
inclusive, as Khmer New Year Week, and calls upon all Californians to observe
the week by participating in appropriate activities and programs.
ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:
1) The Cambodian people have a long and rich cultural heritage symbolized by
Angkor Wat, the temple city, which flourished during the Khmer Empire from
the 9th to the 12th centuries and was considered one of the Wonders of the
Ancient World, and now stands as a living icon of the endurance and genius of
all Cambodians throughout the world.
2) Khmer New Year, or Cambodian New Year, also known as Choul Chnam
Thmey, literally meaning “Enter the New Year,” also known and Maha
Sangkranta, literally meaning “Great Sankranti,” or Sangkranta, is the
traditional celebration of the solar new year in Cambodia.
3) Maha Sangkranta or Sangkranta, derived from Sanskrit saṅkrānti, is the name of
the first day of the New Year celebration. It marks the end of the year and the
beginning of a new one. People dress up, light candles, and burn incense sticks
at shrines, where the members of each family offer thanks for the Buddha’s
teachings by bowing or kneeling three times in front of his image. For good
luck, people wash their face with holy water in the morning, their chests at
noon, and their feet in the evening before they go to bed.
4) Veareak Vanabat is the name of the second day of the New Year celebration.
People contribute charity to the less fortunate by helping individuals
 SR 25
Page 2
experiencing homelessness and low-income families, among others. Families
attend a dedication ceremony for their ancestors at monasteries.
5) Veareak Laeung Sak is the name of the third day of the New Year celebration.
Buddhists wash the Buddha statues and their elders with perfumed water.
Bathing the Buddha is a symbolic practice to wash bad actions away. This
ritualistic act is called Srang Preah. It is also thought to be a kind deed that will
bring longevity, good luck, happiness, and prosperity in life. By washing their
grandparents and parents, the children can obtain from them best wishes,
blessings, and good pieces of advice for the rest of the year.
6) The Khmer New Year coincides with the traditional solar new year in several
parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. A
three-day public holiday marks the New Year, which usually starts on April 13
or April 14, at the end of the harvest season when farmers enjoy the fruits of
their labor before the rainy season begins.
This resolution recognizes the week of April 10 to April 16, 2023, inclusive, as
Khmer New Year Week, and calls upon all Californians to observe the week by
participating in appropriate activities and programs.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 4/12/23)
None received
OPPOSITION: (Verified 4/12/23)
None received
Prepared by: Jonas Austin / SFA / (916) 651-1520
4/12/23 16:30:11
**** END ****