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SF 4736

Hmong heritage week of observance establishment

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bobby Joe Champion and 3 co-sponsors

Creates an annual Hmong Heritage Week (May 14–20) to recognize Hmong history, culture, contributions, and resilience in Minnesota, encouraging events and education.

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Bill Summary · SF 4736

Summary of SF 4736 (Minnesota 2025-2026)

Purpose

SF 4736 would establish a formal, annual week of observance honoring Hmong heritage in Minnesota. The bill designates a specific time frame and encourages state residents and institutions to recognize, educate about, and celebrate Hmong history, culture, and contributions.

Key Provisions

  • Official observance period

    • Creates a new statutory designation: Hmong Heritage Week.
    • The week runs from May 14 to May 20 each year.

  • Purpose and guidance for observance

    • During Hmong Heritage Week, all Minnesota residents are urged to:
    • Recognize and honor the history, culture, traditions, and heritage of the Hmong people.
    • Acknowledge the contributions of Hmong people to Minnesota.

  • Honorary focus areas (two main emphases)

    • (1) The history, heritage, and resilience of the Hmong people, including:
    • Cultural traditions.
    • Service and sacrifice during the United States’ Secret War in Laos.
    • Refugee journeys to the United States and Minnesota.
    • (2) The significant contributions of Hmong Minnesotans in:
    • Public service, entrepreneurship, agriculture, education, the arts, and community life.
    • The overall enrichment of Minnesota’s cultural, civic, and economic fabric.

  • Executive action encouraged

    • The Governor is encouraged to issue a proclamation recognizing Hmong Heritage Week.
    • The Governor should encourage observance through programs, ceremonies, educational activities, and community events.

  • Implementation and participation

    • Schools, libraries, historical societies, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, community groups, local governments, and individual residents are encouraged to organize and lead commemorative activities.
    • Emphasis on programs that highlight Hmong history, culture, traditions, resilience, and contributions.

Who is Affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Hmong Minnesotans and the broader Minnesota community, through increased awareness and celebration of Hmong heritage.
  • Institutions and entities affected or engaged:
    • State government (via potential proclamation from the Governor).
    • Local governments, schools, libraries, historical societies, cultural institutions, nonprofit organizations, and community groups.
    • Individual residents and students.

Procedural/Timeline Aspects

  • Enactment path: The bill has been introduced and referred to the State and Local Government committee. It has an introduction date in March 2026 with subsequent actions in April 2026.
  • Effective date: The bill establishes the observance annually; the exact practical deployment would align with the 2026 and subsequent May 14–20 weeks, assuming passage.
  • Status notes: The bill includes standard “new text” additions proposing a new statutory section [10.5801] HMONG HERITAGE WEEK.

Additional Context

  • The bill emphasizes a nonpartisan, cultural recognition framework, focusing on education, cultural appreciation, and community engagement.
  • No new funding or fiscal appropriations are stated in the text provided; if enacted, any implementation costs would depend on proclamations, programs, and events organized by participating entities.

If you’d like, I can add a section comparing SF 4736 to similar heritage observance bills or provide a brief background on the Hmong community’s history in Minnesota to contextualize the bill.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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