SB-437
Education

California State University: claim eligibility: genealogy and descendancy.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes $6 million for California State University to research and verify eligibility for reparative claims.
  • Requires CSU to establish a genealogical verification process for descendants of enslaved persons by 2029.
  • Mandates annual consultation with the California Legislative Black Caucus on research priorities.
  • Enables partnerships between CSU and other universities to conduct genealogical research.

Summary

Senator Weber Pierson's legislation authorizes the California State University system to develop processes for verifying genealogical lineage of individuals seeking reparative claims as descendants of persons enslaved in the United States. The bill allocates up to $6 million for CSU to conduct research aligned with recommendations from the state's former Task Force on Reparations, with authority to partner with other universities and nonprofit institutions.

The measure requires CSU to establish verification procedures for confirming descendant status by the 2029-30 academic year, with preliminary work beginning in 2026-27. Under the bill's provisions, eligible individuals must demonstrate direct lineage to a person subjected to American chattel slavery before 1900 who obtained freedom through various means, including emancipation, military service, or judicial ruling. The funding may support student participation in genealogical research activities.

CSU must consult annually with the California Legislative Black Caucus to determine research priorities and submit yearly progress reports to the Legislature and Governor detailing ongoing and completed projects. The final report will outline research findings, recommendations, implementation timelines, and associated costs for establishing a statewide verification system. This reporting continues until the appropriated funds are exhausted.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
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 as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB437 Weber Pierson et al
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
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Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
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

Akilah Weber Pierson
Akilah Weber PiersonD
California State Senator
Co-Authors
Lori Wilson
Lori WilsonD
California State Assembly Member
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
California State Senator
LaShae Sharp-Collins
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
California State Assembly Member
Laura Richardson
Laura RichardsonD
California State Senator
Tina McKinnor
Tina McKinnorD
California State Assembly Member
Corey Jackson
Corey JacksonD
California State Assembly Member
Mike Gipson
Mike GipsonD
California State Assembly Member
Sade Elhawary
Sade ElhawaryD
California State Assembly Member
Isaac Bryan
Isaac BryanD
California State Assembly Member
Mia Bonta
Mia BontaD
California State Assembly Member
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Latest Voting History

July 1, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
93012PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Authorizes $6 million for California State University to research and verify eligibility for reparative claims.
  • Requires CSU to establish a genealogical verification process for descendants of enslaved persons by 2029.
  • Mandates annual consultation with the California Legislative Black Caucus on research priorities.
  • Enables partnerships between CSU and other universities to conduct genealogical research.

Get Involved

Act Now!

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

Introduced By

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

Summary

Senator Weber Pierson's legislation authorizes the California State University system to develop processes for verifying genealogical lineage of individuals seeking reparative claims as descendants of persons enslaved in the United States. The bill allocates up to $6 million for CSU to conduct research aligned with recommendations from the state's former Task Force on Reparations, with authority to partner with other universities and nonprofit institutions.

The measure requires CSU to establish verification procedures for confirming descendant status by the 2029-30 academic year, with preliminary work beginning in 2026-27. Under the bill's provisions, eligible individuals must demonstrate direct lineage to a person subjected to American chattel slavery before 1900 who obtained freedom through various means, including emancipation, military service, or judicial ruling. The funding may support student participation in genealogical research activities.

CSU must consult annually with the California Legislative Black Caucus to determine research priorities and submit yearly progress reports to the Legislature and Governor detailing ongoing and completed projects. The final report will outline research findings, recommendations, implementation timelines, and associated costs for establishing a statewide verification system. This reporting continues until the appropriated funds are exhausted.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/2/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Appropriations
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
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 as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB437 Weber Pierson et al
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass as amended
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Judiciary Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Senate Education Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Education Hearing
Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

July 1, 2025
PASS
Assembly Committee
Assembly Judiciary Hearing
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
93012PASS

Contacts

Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 25 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 5
Select All Legislators
Profile
Mike GipsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Buffy WicksD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lisa CalderonD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Isaac BryanD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mia BontaD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Mike FongD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lori WilsonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Tina McKinnorD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Diane DixonR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gregg HartD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Corey JacksonD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Blanca PachecoD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Gail PellerinD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Kate SanchezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Tri TaR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Jessica CalozaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Mark GonzalezD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Heather HadwickR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Bill Author
Profile
Jose SolacheD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Sade ElhawaryD
Assemblymember
Bill Author