California Lawmakers Introduce Package of Reparations Bills in ‘Historic First Step’

From a formal apology, access to food, to prison reform efforts, the proposed bills cover a range of topics—without cash payments.

From left, State Sen. Steven Bradford, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, task force member Lisa Holder and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer hold up a final report of the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans during a hearing in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, June 29, 2023. The report heads to lawmakers who will be responsible for turning policy recommendations into legislation. Reparations will not happen until lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom agree. AP Photo/Haven Daley

The California Legislative Black Caucus released on Jan. 31 the 14 pieces of legislation that the group plans to prioritize in 2024, following through on recommendations made last year by the state’s reparations task force.

“This is a defining moment not only California’s history but American history, as well,” state Sen. Steven Bradford told reporters on Feb. 1. “These policies have an impact that is needed right now to start to repair some of the harms defined in the report.”