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CaliforniaSB 5182025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Descendants of enslaved persons: reparations.

Sponsored By: Akilah Weber Pierson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Proving descendant status for benefits

The bureau verifies whether you are a descendant of a person enslaved in the U.S. before 1900. Certification from the bureau is the state’s proof used to qualify for any descendant benefits the Legislature authorizes. The Genealogy Division takes applications, makes decisions, and handles appeals. You must show direct lineage and meet at least one of five criteria: emancipation; freedom under gradual-abolition laws or amendments; fugitive status; being deemed “contraband” by the military; or military or civic service while under ancestry-based legal limits. These certification and appeal procedures operate only if Senate Bill 437 takes effect by January 1, 2026.

Your genealogy and DNA data private

The bureau only collects and keeps personal and genetic data needed for its work and consistent with federal and California privacy laws. Before asking, it tells you why it needs the data, if it is required, how it will be used, and what happens if you do not provide it. The bureau cannot share nonpublic records unless needed for this law and with your written authorization, including inside government.

New state bureau for reparations work

The law creates the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery in the California Civil Rights Department. A Governor‑appointed, Senate‑confirmed deputy director leads it. The Department can set rules to run the bureau. The bureau can accept grants and donations, but donors cannot control programs or policy. A Legal Affairs Division gives legal advice and ensures compliance.

Public education on redlining, displacement

The bureau runs public education on gentrification, displacement, links to redlining, and discriminatory urban planning in California. It can work with colleges, universities, and community groups. Entities funded under Budget Act 2025 item 6610-001-0001 must coordinate with and report to the division when asked.

Work starts only when state funds it

The bureau and its programs operate only if the Legislature provides enough money in the Budget Act or another law. Without funding, the bureau does not start work.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Akilah Weber Pierson

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mia Bonta

    Democratic • House

  • Isaac Bryan

    Democratic • House

  • Sade Elhawary

    Democratic • House

  • Mike Gipson

    Democratic • House

  • Corey Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Ash Kalra

    Democratic • House

  • Tina McKinnor

    Democratic • House

  • Rhodesia Ransom

    Democratic • House

  • Laura Richardson

    Democratic • Senate

  • LaShae Sharp-Collins

    Democratic • House

  • Lola Smallwood-Cuevas

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lori Wilson

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 161 • No: 47

Senate vote • 9/10/2025

Item 70 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 30 • No: 10

House vote • 9/9/2025

Item 138 — Assembly AFLOOR

Yes: 60 • No: 17

legislature vote • 8/29/2025

Vote in CX25

Yes: 11 • No: 4

legislature vote • 7/1/2025

Vote in CX13

Yes: 9 • No: 3

Senate vote • 6/2/2025

Item 183 — Senate SFLOOR

Yes: 28 • No: 10

legislature vote • 5/23/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 5 • No: 1

legislature vote • 5/5/2025

Vote in CS61

Yes: 7 • No: 0

legislature vote • 4/22/2025

Vote in CS53

Yes: 11 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 586, Statutes of 2025.

    10/10/2025Senate

  2. Approved by the Governor.

    10/10/2025legislature

  3. Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 11 a.m.

    9/22/2025legislature

  4. Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 2837.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.

    9/10/2025Senate

  5. In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.

    9/9/2025Senate

  6. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 60. Noes 17. Page 3064.) Ordered to the Senate.

    9/9/2025House

  7. Ordered to third reading.

    9/5/2025House

  8. Read third time and amended.

    9/5/2025House

  9. Assembly Rule 69(b)(1) suspended.

    9/5/2025House

  10. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    9/3/2025House

  11. Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    9/2/2025House

  12. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (August 29).

    8/29/2025House

  13. July 16 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.

    7/16/2025House

  14. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.

    7/3/2025House

  15. From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (July 1).

    7/2/2025House

  16. June 24 hearing postponed by committee.

    6/19/2025House

  17. From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.

    6/16/2025House

  18. Referred to Com. on JUD.

    6/9/2025House

  19. In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.

    6/3/2025House

  20. Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 10. Page 1402.) Ordered to the Assembly.

    6/2/2025Senate

  21. Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

    5/27/2025Senate

  22. Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.

    5/23/2025Senate

  23. From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 1203.) (May 23).

    5/23/2025Senate

  24. Set for hearing May 23.

    5/16/2025Senate

  25. May 5 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.

    5/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Chaptered

    10/10/2025

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  • Enrolled

    9/13/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    9/5/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    9/2/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    7/3/2025

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  • Amended Assembly

    6/16/2025

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  • Amended Senate

    5/23/2025

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  • Amended Senate

    4/24/2025

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  • Amended Senate

    4/10/2025

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  • Amended Senate

    4/7/2025

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  • Introduced

    2/19/2025

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