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California bills · 2025-2026 Regular Session

California SB 437

California State University: claim eligibility: genealogy and descendancy.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (10)

Summary

Official abstract published by the California legislature· summary

Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law requires the trustees to control and expend all money appropriated for the support and maintenance of the university. Former law, until July 1, 2023, established the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, with a Special Consideration for African Americans Who are Descendants of Persons Enslaved in the United States (Task Force) . Former law required the Task Force, among other things, to identify, compile, and synthesize the relevant corpus of evidentiary documentation of the institution of slavery that existed within the United States and the colonies, as specified, and to recommend the form of compensation that should be awarded, the instrumentalities through which it should be awarded, and who should be eligible for this compensation. This bill would authorize the use of up to $6,000,000, as specified, for the purpose of enabling the California State University to conduct research in furtherance of the recommendations of the Task Force, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would authorize the California State University to partner with other universities or nonprofit institutions in furtherance of the bill. The bill would require, before the start of each fiscal year, the California State University to consult with the California Legislative Black Caucus to propose a list of research components to be addressed through the appropriation, as provided. This bill would require the California State University to explore options to determine how to confirm an individual's status as a descendant of an enslaved person, as defined. The bill would also require the California State University to establish a process for conducting or verifying genealogical research for the purpose of confirming an individual's status as a descendant of an enslaved person for eligibility for reparative claims on or before the start of the 2029–30 academic year and to commence the work of establishing the process on or before the start of the 2026–27 academic year. The bill would authorize the funding described above to be used to support student participation in support of this goal. The bill would require the California State University, on or before October 1 of each year and until funding is exhausted, to submit to the Legislature and Governor a report with a status update of pending research projects, and any research projects that have been completed within the prior year. The bill would require the final report to include research findings, recommendations with options, and timelines for statewide implementation, including costs, developed pursuant to these provisions.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 15, 2026, 8:06 AM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Sep 9, 2025
Senate		Unfinished Business SB437 Weber Pierson et al. ConcurrencepassSet your home in California to see
Sep 8, 2025
House		SB 437 Weber Pierson Senate Third Reading By JACKSONpassSet your home in California to see
Aug 29, 2025
House		Do pass.passSet your home in California to see
Jul 1, 2025
House		Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Jun 24, 2025
House		Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]passSet your home in California to see
Jun 2, 2025
Senate		3rd Reading SB437 Weber Pierson et al.passSet your home in California to see
May 23, 2025
Senate		Do pass as amendedpassSet your home in California to see
May 5, 2025
Senate		Placed on suspense filepassSet your home in California to see
Apr 22, 2025
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]passSet your home in California to see
Mar 26, 2025
Senate		Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]passSet your home in California to see

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