Bill Sponsor
California Senate Bill 437
Session 20252026
California State University: claim eligibility: genealogy and descendancy.
Became Law
Became Law
Became Law on Oct 13, 2025
First Action
Feb 18, 2025
Latest Action
Oct 13, 2025
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
437
State
California
Session
20252026
Sponsorship by Party
Summary
Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in the state. Existing law requires the trustees to control and expend all money appropriated for the support and maintenance of the university. 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 authorize the use of up to $6,000,000, as specified, for the purpose of enabling the California State University to conduct research in furtherance of the recommendations of the Task Force, thereby making an appropriation. The bill would authorize the California State University to partner with other universities or nonprofit institutions in furtherance of the bill. The bill would require, before the start of each fiscal year, the California State University to consult with the California Legislative Black Caucus to propose a list of research components to be addressed through the appropriation, as provided. This bill would require the California State University to explore options to determine how to confirm an individual's status as a descendant of an enslaved person, as defined. The bill would also require the California State University to establish a process for conducting or verifying genealogical research for the purpose of confirming an individual's status as a descendant of an enslaved person for eligibility for reparative claims on or before the start of the 2029–30 academic year and to commence the work of establishing the process on or before the start of the 2026–27 academic year. The bill would authorize the funding described above to be used to support student participation in support of this goal. The bill would require the California State University, on or before October 1 of each year and until funding is exhausted, to submit to the Legislature and Governor a report with a status update of pending research projects, and any research projects that have been completed within the prior year. The bill would require the final report to include research findings, recommendations with options, and timelines for statewide implementation, including costs, developed pursuant to these provisions.
Documents (11)
10/13/2025
California State Legislature
Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 755, Statutes of 2025.
10/13/2025
California State Legislature
Approved by the Governor.
09/17/2025
California State Legislature
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.
09/09/2025
Senate
Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 29. Noes 10.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.
09/08/2025
Senate
In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
09/08/2025
Assembly
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 61. Noes 17. Page 2993.) Ordered to the Senate.
09/04/2025
Assembly
Ordered to third reading.
09/04/2025
Assembly
Read third time and amended.
09/02/2025
Assembly
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
08/29/2025
Assembly
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 4.) (August 29).
07/16/2025
Assembly
July 16 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
07/02/2025
Assembly
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 9. Noes 3.) (July 1). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
06/26/2025
Assembly
Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
06/25/2025
Assembly
From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 7. Noes 3.) (June 24).
06/09/2025
Assembly
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on HIGHER ED.
06/09/2025
Assembly
Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and JUD.
06/03/2025
Assembly
In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
06/02/2025
Senate
Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 28. Noes 10. Page 1401.) Ordered to the Assembly.
05/27/2025
Senate
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
05/23/2025
Senate
Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.
05/23/2025
Senate
From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 1200.) (May 23).
05/16/2025
Senate
Set for hearing May 23.
05/05/2025
Senate
May 5 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
04/25/2025
Senate
Set for hearing May 5.
04/23/2025
Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 2. Page 835.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
04/08/2025
Senate
From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
04/03/2025
Senate
Set for hearing April 22.
03/26/2025
Senate
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 5. Noes 2. Page 566.) (March 26). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
03/11/2025
Senate
Set for hearing March 26.
02/26/2025
Senate
Referred to Coms. on ED. and JUD.
02/19/2025
Senate
From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21.
02/18/2025
Senate
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.
Sources
Record Created
Feb 19, 2025 5:52:56 AM
Record Updated
Oct 15, 2025 8:32:14 AM