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    AB-7
    Education

    Postsecondary education: admissions preference: descendants of slavery.

    Engrossed
    CA
    ∙
    2025-2026 Regular Session
    0
    0
    Track
    Track

    Key Takeaways

    • Authorizes California colleges to provide admissions preference to descendants of American chattel slavery.
    • Requires applicants to prove direct lineage to a person enslaved before 1900 to qualify for preference.
    • Allows both public and private higher education institutions to implement these preferences.
    • Mandates that all admissions preferences must comply with existing federal law.

    Summary

    Assembly Member Bryan, joined by a broad coalition of legislative colleagues, has put forward a measure allowing California's higher education institutions to consider an applicant's status as a descendant of slavery during the admissions process. The proposal would apply to the California State University system, the University of California, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions.

    The bill establishes specific criteria to define eligibility as a descendant of slavery, requiring applicants to demonstrate direct lineage to an individual subjected to American chattel slavery before 1900. Qualifying ancestors must meet at least one of five conditions: emancipation through legal or extralegal means, freedom obtained through abolition laws, classification as a fugitive from bondage, designation as military contraband, or performance of military or civic service while under legal restrictions based on ancestry associated with slavery.

    The measure includes explicit provisions requiring that any admissions preferences remain in compliance with federal law. This aligns with existing state constitutional requirements regarding preferential treatment in public education and the framework established by the Donahoe Higher Education Act, which governs California's public and independent higher education segments.

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
    Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 112
    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2100
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 7 Bryan Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Higher Education Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Higher Education Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Contacts

    Profile
    Mike GipsonD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Eloise ReyesD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lena GonzalezD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 19 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Mike GipsonD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Eloise ReyesD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lena GonzalezD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Dave CorteseD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Isaac BryanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Mia BontaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lori WilsonD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tina McKinnorD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Corey JacksonD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sasha Renee PerezD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Lori Wilson
    Lori WilsonD
    California State Assembly Member
    Tina McKinnor
    Tina McKinnorD
    California State Assembly Member
    Corey Jackson
    Corey JacksonD
    California State Assembly Member
    Mike Gipson
    Mike GipsonD
    California State Assembly Member
    Mia Bonta
    Mia BontaD
    California State Assembly Member
    Isaac Bryan
    Isaac BryanD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Akilah Weber Pierson
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    California State Senator
    Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
    Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
    California State Senator
    Sade Elhawary
    Sade ElhawaryD
    California State Assembly Member
    Laura Richardson
    Laura RichardsonD
    California State Senator
    LaShae Sharp-Collins
    LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
    California State Assembly Member
    Ash Kalra
    Ash KalraD
    California State Assembly Member
    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/3/2025)

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 3, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5417879PASS

    Key Takeaways

    • Authorizes California colleges to provide admissions preference to descendants of American chattel slavery.
    • Requires applicants to prove direct lineage to a person enslaved before 1900 to qualify for preference.
    • Allows both public and private higher education institutions to implement these preferences.
    • Mandates that all admissions preferences must comply with existing federal law.

    Get Involved

    Act Now!

    Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

    Introduced By

    Lori Wilson
    Lori WilsonD
    California State Assembly Member
    Tina McKinnor
    Tina McKinnorD
    California State Assembly Member
    Corey Jackson
    Corey JacksonD
    California State Assembly Member
    Mike Gipson
    Mike GipsonD
    California State Assembly Member
    Mia Bonta
    Mia BontaD
    California State Assembly Member
    Isaac Bryan
    Isaac BryanD
    California State Assembly Member
    Co-Authors
    Akilah Weber Pierson
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    California State Senator
    Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
    Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
    California State Senator
    Sade Elhawary
    Sade ElhawaryD
    California State Assembly Member
    Laura Richardson
    Laura RichardsonD
    California State Senator
    LaShae Sharp-Collins
    LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
    California State Assembly Member
    Ash Kalra
    Ash KalraD
    California State Assembly Member

    Summary

    Assembly Member Bryan, joined by a broad coalition of legislative colleagues, has put forward a measure allowing California's higher education institutions to consider an applicant's status as a descendant of slavery during the admissions process. The proposal would apply to the California State University system, the University of California, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions.

    The bill establishes specific criteria to define eligibility as a descendant of slavery, requiring applicants to demonstrate direct lineage to an individual subjected to American chattel slavery before 1900. Qualifying ancestors must meet at least one of five conditions: emancipation through legal or extralegal means, freedom obtained through abolition laws, classification as a fugitive from bondage, designation as military contraband, or performance of military or civic service while under legal restrictions based on ancestry associated with slavery.

    The measure includes explicit provisions requiring that any admissions preferences remain in compliance with federal law. This aligns with existing state constitutional requirements regarding preferential treatment in public education and the framework established by the Donahoe Higher Education Act, which governs California's public and independent higher education segments.

    40% progression
    Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/3/2025)

    Key Dates

    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
    Hearing scheduled for , State Capitol, Room 112
    Next Step
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
    Next Step
    Senate Committee
    Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Education
    Hearing scheduled for , 1021 O Street, Room 2100
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AB 7 Bryan Assembly Third Reading
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Appropriations Hearing
    Do pass
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Judiciary Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
    Assembly Higher Education Hearing
    Assembly Committee
    Assembly Higher Education Hearing
    Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
    Introduced
    Assembly Floor
    Introduced
    Read first time. To print.

    Latest Voting History

    View History
    June 3, 2025
    PASS
    Assembly Floor
    Vote on Assembly Floor
    AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
    5417879PASS

    Contacts

    Profile
    Mike GipsonD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Eloise ReyesD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    Profile
    Lena GonzalezD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Not Contacted
    Not Contacted
    0 of 19 row(s) selected.
    Page 1 of 4
    Select All Legislators
    Profile
    Mike GipsonD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Steven ChoiR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Eloise ReyesD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Ash KalraD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lena GonzalezD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Dave CorteseD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Akilah Weber PiersonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Isaac BryanD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Mia BontaD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lori WilsonD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Tina McKinnorD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Corey JacksonD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Christopher CabaldonD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Sasha Renee PerezD
    Senator
    Committee Member
    Profile
    Laura RichardsonD
    Senator
    Bill Author
    Profile
    Sade ElhawaryD
    Assemblymember
    Bill Author