Commission on the State of Hate.

Assembly Member Elhawary’s measure would extend the Commission on the State of Hate’s existence to January 1, 2031, while preserving its nine-member governance structure and the tripartite appointment framework—five by the Governor, two by the Speaker of the Assembly, and two by the Senate Rules Committee. The measure maintains the requirement that members bring professional experience in combating hate and discrimination, sets four-year terms with staggered initial terms, and preserves the chairmanship by a member of the commission. It also sustains an advisory framework, allowing the commission to form committees and appoint staff, and keeps ex officio nonvoting participation by legislators, the Attorney General or designee, and the Director of the Office of Emergency Services. A per diem of $100 for each public meeting or community forum remains available to members appointed under the general term provisions, with other participants not receiving per diem or expense reimbursement.

The measure retains and specifies core duties: providing resources and assistance to state and local agencies and the public on the state of hate; engaging in fact-finding, data collection, and annual reporting on hate and hate-related crimes; and collaborating with subject-matter experts to monitor trends. It requires the commission to host at least four community forums per year, open to the public, and to issue an Annual State of Hate Commission Report to the Governor and Legislature by July 1 each year, describing activities from the prior year and offering recommendations for the following year. Beginning with reports due after July 1, 2030, the content expands to include a comprehensive accounting of statewide hate crime activity and national trends, recommendations to improve law enforcement practices and resources, and actions for governors, the Legislature, and communities; it also directs consideration of successful tools and trainings from other states or countries. Data collected under these provisions must be used for research or statistics and must not reveal personal identities, with public reports available and governed by existing public-disclosure standards.

Fiscal and implementation considerations are notable: the bill does not appropriate new funds, but it authorizes the commission to seek non-General Fund funding, including federal sources, which could influence budgeting and operations. There is no new enforcement authority attached to the commission; rather, it remains advisory, with continued reporting to the Legislature and Joint Rules Committee. The extended horizon for the commission’s existence emphasizes ongoing data collection, periodic policy recommendations, and public engagement through forums, while maintaining a commitment to civil liberties and privacy in its work.