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New YorkS 31612025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

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

Sponsored By: Robert Jackson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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 teachers of African-American history

The Amistad Commission may offer grants to individual teachers for outstanding teaching about the African-American experience. The Commission decides which teaching practices qualify. Grants are not guaranteed, and the law sets no grant amount. The Commission must collect and share these practices so other teachers can use them.

Amistad Commission moves to state education department

Effective immediately, the law moves Amistad Commission work from the Department of State to the State Education Department. Existing matters continue under the same terms. The 19-member Commission includes 16 appointed New York residents and three officials or their designees. Those officials are the education commissioner, secretary of state, and State University of New York chancellor. The Senate president and Assembly speaker each appoint four public members; the Governor appoints eight. Appointments must reflect broad geographic representation and ethnic diversity. Public members need an educational background in the African slave trade, American slavery, or African-American contributions to society. Initial one-year terms cover one Senate, one Assembly, and two Governor appointees. Initial two-year terms cover one Senate, one Assembly, and three Governor appointees. Initial three-year terms cover two Senate, two Assembly, and three Governor appointees. Public members receive no pay but may receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses. The education commissioner chairs the Commission, and the secretary of state serves as vice-chair; either may use a designee. Official business requires majority consent. Vacancies before a term ends must be filled through the original appointment process within 45 days. Otherwise, the education commissioner must fill them within the next 30 days, for only the remaining term. The education department must provide data, technical help, and staff, and may assign employees to support the Commission.

Support for schools teaching African-American history

The Amistad Commission recognizes schools for outstanding teaching about the African-American experience through a special designation or another award. The Commission decides which schools qualify and what recognition they receive. It must encourage school districts to use African-American history lessons and increase awareness of those lessons. It must also list volunteers who can teach about the African slave trade, American slavery, and related topics. Volunteers share knowledge in classrooms and teacher training, and the Commission reports findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.

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: 200 • No: 0

House vote • 6/13/2025

Assembly floor vote

Yes: 135 • 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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