California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session
California AB 7
Postsecondary education: admissions preference: descendants of slavery.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Vetoed
Sponsors
- Bryan (Democratic)
Cosponsors (11)
- Bonta (Democratic)
- Gipson (Democratic)
- Jackson (Democratic)
- McKinnor (Democratic)
- Wilson (Democratic)
- Smallwood-Cuevas (Democratic)
- Weber Pierson (Democratic)
- Elhawary (Democratic)
- Kalra (Democratic)
- Sharp-Collins (Democratic)
- Richardson (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary
The California Constitution prohibits the state from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.
The Donahoe Higher Education Act sets forth, among other things, the missions and functions of California's public and independent segments of higher education and their respective institutions of higher education. A provision of the act applies to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, act to make the provision applicable.
This bill would state that the California State University, the University of California, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions may consider providing a preference in admissions to an applicant who is a descendant of slavery, as defined, to the extent it does not conflict with federal law.
Text versions
- 09/16/25 - Enrolled· Sep 16, 2025
- 07/03/25 - Amended Senate· Jul 3, 2025
- 12/02/24 - Introduced· Dec 2, 2024
- AB7
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 16, 2026, 4:04 AM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2025 House | AB 7 Bryan Concurrence in Senate Amendments | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Sep 9, 2025 Senate | 3rd Reading AB7 Bryan et al. By Richardson | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Aug 29, 2025 Senate | Do pass | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Aug 18, 2025 Senate | Placed on suspense file | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Jul 15, 2025 Senate | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Jul 9, 2025 Senate | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Jun 3, 2025 House | AB 7 Bryan Assembly Third Reading | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| May 23, 2025 House | Do pass. | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 29, 2025 House | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
| Apr 22, 2025 House | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary] | pass | Set your home in California to see |
Actions
- Jan 22, 2026 · House
Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file. - Oct 13, 2025 · House
Consideration of Governor's veto pending. - Oct 13, 2025 · House
Vetoed by Governor. - Sep 24, 2025 · Legislature
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m. - Sep 12, 2025 · House
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 55. Noes 18. Page 3363.). - Sep 9, 2025 · House
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending. - Sep 9, 2025 · Senate
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 2744.). - Aug 29, 2025 · Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - Aug 29, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29). - Aug 18, 2025 · Senate
In committee: Referred to suspense file. - Jul 16, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Jul 9, 2025 · Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on JUD. - Jul 3, 2025 · Senate
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED. - Jun 18, 2025 · Senate
Referred to Coms. on ED. and JUD. - Jun 4, 2025 · Senate
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. - Jun 3, 2025 · House
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 54. Noes 17. Page 1965.) - May 27, 2025 · House
Read second time. Ordered to third reading. - May 23, 2025 · House
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 23). - May 14, 2025 · House
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file. - Apr 30, 2025 · House
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 2.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR. - Apr 30, 2025 · House
Coauthors revised. - Apr 23, 2025 · House
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 6. Noes 3.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on JUD. - Apr 23, 2025 · House
Coauthors revised. - Feb 18, 2025 · House
Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and JUD. - Dec 3, 2024 · House
From printer. May be heard in committee January 2. - Dec 2, 2024 · House
Read first time. To print.