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New YorkS 31612025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Moves the Amistad Commission from the department of state to the state education department

Sponsored By: Robert Jackson (Democratic)

Became Law

CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATIONTOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for standout teachers of African-American history

The Amistad Commission offers grants to individual teachers who show exemplary teaching on the African-American experience. The commission decides what counts as exemplary. It catalogs and shares those practices for other teachers. The law does not set grant amounts.

Amistad Commission moves to Education Department

The law moves the Amistad Commission from the Department of State to the State Education Department. The Commissioner of Education chairs the commission. The Secretary of State serves as vice-chair. The SUNY Chancellor remains an ex officio member. The Education Department provides data and technical help, and the Commissioner hires the commission’s staff. If a public seat stays vacant for 45 days, the Commissioner must fill it within 30 days for the rest of the term. Members serve without pay but get reimbursed for necessary expenses.

School awards and volunteers for African-American history

The commission compiles a list of volunteers to speak in classrooms, seminars, and workshops. They cover the African slave trade, American slavery, its impact today, and African-American contributions. The commission also runs a program that publicly recognizes schools with outstanding teaching in these subjects. Recognition can be a special title or another award.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Robert Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Cordell Cleare

    Democratic • Senate

  • John Liu

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kevin S. Parker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lea Webb

    Democratic • Senate

  • Michelle Hinchey

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rachel May

    Democratic • Senate

  • Zellnor Myrie

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 65 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2025

FLOOR Vote

Yes: 59 • No: 0

committee vote • 2/4/2025

Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks And Recreation Committee Vote

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. SIGNED CHAP.542

    11/21/2025Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR

    11/17/2025Senate

  3. RETURNED TO SENATE

    6/13/2025House

  4. PASSED ASSEMBLY

    6/13/2025House

  5. ORDERED TO THIRD READING RULES CAL.723

    6/13/2025House

  6. SUBSTITUTED FOR A5468

    6/13/2025House

  7. REFERRED TO TOURISM, PARKS, ARTS AND SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

    2/12/2025House

  8. DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY

    2/12/2025Senate

  9. PASSED SENATE

    2/12/2025Senate

  10. ADVANCED TO THIRD READING

    2/10/2025Senate

  11. 2ND REPORT CAL.

    2/5/2025Senate

  12. 1ST REPORT CAL.281

    2/4/2025Senate

  13. REFERRED TO CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM, PARKS AND RECREATION

    1/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Original

    1/24/2025

    PDF

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