HR 30
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 7, 2025
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Blanca Pacheco, Chair
HR 30 (Lowenthal) – As Introduced April 1, 2025
SUBJECT: Khmer New Year.
SUMMARY: Recognizes April 14 to April 16, 2025, inclusive, as Khmer New Year, and calls
upon all Californians to observe the New Year by participating in appropriate activities and
programs. Specifically, 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 Chaul Chnam Thmey, literally
meaning “Enter the New Year,” also known as Moha Sangkranta, literally meaning “Great
Sankranti,” or Sangkranta, is the traditional celebration of the solar new year in Cambodia.
3) Moha 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.
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 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.
6) In temples, people erect a sand hillock on temple grounds. They mound up a big, pointed hill
of sand or dome in the center to represent Valuka Chaitya, the stupa (shrine) at the Tāvatiṃsa
(heaven) where they believe the Buddha’s hair and diadem are kept.
7) The Khmer New Year coincides with the traditional solar new year in several parts of India,
Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. Khmers living abroad may
choose to celebrate during a weekend rather than specifically April 13 through April 16.
8) The State of California has a large population of Cambodians and the City of Long Beach is
known around the world as home to the largest Cambodian community outside of Southeast
Asia.
9) The Cambodian people have contributed to communities by participating in American
politics, by establishing local and international businesses, by developing new art forms and
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community organizations through their rich cultural heritage, and by raising a new generation
of Americans with promise to advance the future of the State of California and the nation.
FISCAL EFFECT: This resolution is keyed non-fiscal by Legislative Counsel.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
None on file
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Michael Erke / RLS. / (916) 319-2800