NewsKQED NewsNovember 13, 2026San Francisco County
California Advances Reparations Research and Targeted Legislation as Comprehensive Plan Awaits Implementation
Photo: KQED News
California is currently focusing its reparations efforts on public education, academic research, and targeted legislation following a comprehensive task force report published three years ago. The Newsom administration allocated $12 million for research and public education, while lawmakers passed measures requiring corporate disclosures on historical ties to slavery and providing targeted payouts to families near oil wells, though a bill exempting payments from income tax was vetoed.
Read the full story at KQED NewsWhy It Matters
The state's approach directly impacts public school curricula, academic research funding at state universities, corporate transparency requirements for state contractors, and potential financial support for specific communities affected by environmental hazards.
Key Facts
- California published the nation's first comprehensive reparations plan three years ago via the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.
- Gov. Gavin Newsom set aside $12 million in 2024 to fund reparations-related research and public education.
- Half of the $12 million allocation went to the Tides Foundation to establish the California Reparations Education Initiative.
- The other half of the $12 million went to the California State University system via SB 437 to research eligibility and lineage verification by 2029 across three campuses.
- Researchers at UC Berkeley are developing a high school Black Studies curriculum funded by the California Department of Justice and Education Leaders of Color.
- The California Legislative Black Caucus introduced and passed three bills this session under the umbrella of reparations.
- AB 2186, which would have exempted reparations payments from income tax, passed the legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Newsom due to fiscal concerns.
- AB 1661 provides one-time cash payments to 1,000 families within the Baldwin Hills Conservancy whose health was impacted by living near oil wells, funded by penalties on unclosed wells after 2031.
- AB 2599 (Truth in Disclosure Act) requires large corporations contracting with the state to publicly disclose whether they or their predecessors profited from slavery.
- Polling from 2023 and 2024 indicated that while public support for direct cash payments is mixed, a majority of Californians support increased education on slavery and its legacies.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationCalifornia Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans“Authored the final reparations report containing policy recommendations.”OrganizationTides Foundation“Received half of the $12 million state allocation to create the California Repar”PersonDarryl Hannah“Spokesperson for the Tides Foundation.”OrganizationEducation Leaders of Color“Los Angeles-based nonprofit that helped fund the Black Studies curriculum.”PersonJames Woodson“CEO of the California Black Power Network.”OrganizationNewsom administration“Set aside $12 million to fund reparations work and oversaw state policy.”OrganizationBaldwin Hills Conservancy“Geographic boundary for families eligible for payouts under AB 1661.”OrganizationCalifornia Black Power Network“Supported AB 2599.”OrganizationCalifornia Department of Justice“Funded the creation of the California Black Studies Curriculum.”PersonSteven Bradford“Former state Senator who commented on the state's reparations funding.”PersonAmy Bentley-Smith“Spokesperson for the CSU Chancellor’s Office.”OrganizationUniversity of California, Berkeley School of Education“Creating a California Black Studies high school curriculum.”OrganizationCalifornia’s Legislative Black Caucus“Took the lead on introducing reparations-related bills this legislative session.”PersonTravis Bristol“UC Berkeley professor and project co-director for the Black Studies curriculum.”OrganizationCalifornia State University“Tasked with developing a system for verifying lineage eligibility for potential ”PersonIsaac Bryan“Assemblymember and author of the Truth in Disclosure Act.”PersonGavin Newsom“California Governor who set aside funding and vetoed AB 2186.”