Bill Text: CA SB1403 | 2023-2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: California American Freedmen Affairs Agency.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-04-26 - Set for hearing May 6. [SB1403 Detail]
Download: California-2023-SB1403-Amended.html
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Amended
IN
Senate
April 11, 2024 |
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Amended
IN
Senate
April 03, 2024 |
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Amended
IN
Senate
March 18, 2024 |
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 1403
| Introduced by Senator Bradford (Coauthors: Senators Cortese and Wahab) |
February 16, 2024 |
An act to add Part 14 (commencing with Section 16000) to Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, relating to state government.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 1403, as amended, Bradford.
California American Freedmen Affairs Agency.
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 establish the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency in state government, under
the control of the secretary, who would be appointed by the Governor. The bill would require the agency to implement the recommendations of the Task Force, as approved by the Legislature and the Governor. The bill would require the agency, as part of its duties, to determine how an individual’s status as a descendant would be confirmed. The bill would also require proof of an individual’s descendant status to be a qualifying criteria for benefits authorized by the state for descendants. To accomplish these goals, the bill would require the agency to be comprised of a Genealogy Office and an Office of Legal Affairs.
The bill would further require the agency to oversee and monitor existing state agencies and departments tasked with engaging in direct implementation of the policies that fall within the scope of the existing state agencies and departments’ authority, including policies related to reparations.
Digest Key
Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NOBill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1.
Part 14 (commencing with Section 16000) is added to Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, to read:PART 14. California American Freedman Affairs Agency
CHAPTER 1. Definitions
16000.
For purposes of this part:(a) “Agency” means the California American Freedman Affairs Agency.
(b) “Descendants” means African American descendants of a an African American chattel enslaved person, person in the United States,
or descendants of a free Black person living in the United States prior to the end of the 19th century.
(c) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the California American Freedman Affairs Agency.
(d) “Task force” means 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 as established under former Section 8301.1.
CHAPTER 2. General
16001.
(a) The California American Freedman Affairs Agency is hereby established in state government. The agency shall be under the direct control of a secretary who shall be responsible to the Governor.(b) The Governor shall appoint the secretary of the agency who shall perform all duties, exercise all powers, assume and discharge all responsibilities, and carry out and effect all purposes vested by law in the office.
(c) The salary of the secretary shall be fixed pursuant to Section 12001.
CHAPTER 3. Powers and Duties
16002.
The agency shall implement the recommendations of the task force, as approved by the Legislature and the Governor. As part of its duties, the agency shall determine how an individual’s status as a descendant shall be confirmed. Proof of an individual’s descendent status shall be a qualifying criteria for benefits authorized by the state for descendants. To accomplish these goals, the agency shall include both of the following offices:(a) A Genealogy Office to support potential reparations claimants by providing access to expert genealogical research to confirm reparations eligibility and expedited assistance with the reparations claims process.
(b) An Office of Legal Affairs to provide legal advice, counsel, and services to the agency and its officials, and to ensure that the agency’s programs are administered in accordance with applicable legislative authority. The office shall also advise the head of the agency on legislative, legal, and regulatory initiatives and serve as an external liaison on legal matters with other state agencies and other entities.
