Senate committee advances bill to create California Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Agency

Senators on the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization voted to pass SB 12 as amended, moving the measure to the Judiciary Committee. The bill, authored by Senator Maria Elena Gonzales, would create a California Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Agency to coordinate outreach, services and policy for the state’s immigrant and refugee population and includes a 10‑year sunset in the committee amendments.

Senator Maria Elena Gonzales, the bill’s author, told the committee, “I'd like to start by accepting the committee's proposed amendments to add a 10 year sunset to the bill and make other technical changes. SB 12 will create the California Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Agency to help meet the needs of our state's large immigrant and refugee population.” She argued the office would act as a “one‑stop shop” to surface programs and connect communities with services.

Academic and advocacy witnesses spoke in support. Dr. Amada Armenta, faculty director of the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, testified that California is home to “over…