Detailed descriptions of select localities that have introduced reparation legislation since 2020
| Locality | Description |
|---|---|
| California State | AB 3089 is a formal apology bill that recognizes and accepts responsibility for the harms caused by chattel slavery, race-based violence, housing discrimination, and state sanctioned displacement of Black people and communities. The bill was signed by Governor Newsom in September.
There were several bills aimed at reducing disparities and strengthening anti-discrimination legislation signed by the Governor in September. AB 1815 expanded the definition of race to include traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles, to provide stronger anti-discrimination protection. AB 2319 aims to address maternal health disparities by authorizing the Attorney General to enforce compliance with the requirement of perinatal health care workers to complete anti-bias trainings. SB 1348 created the designation California Black-Serving Institutions for postsecondary education institutions. The designation will recognize institutions “that excel at providing academic resources” to Black students. There were also several bills that failed during this legislative session. SB 1403 and SB 1331 were stalled in August 2024 despite being approved by the Senate. In addition to carrying out processes outlined in SB 1050, the California American Freeman Affairs Agency (SB 1403), would have supported genealogical research for Black Californians, confirm eligibility for reparations payments, and process claims related to reparations programs. SB 1331 would have created a reparations fund to support implemented reparations policies. Bill ACA 8 was introduced in the 2024 election under Proposition 6. Proposition 6 which would “amend the California Constitution to prohibit involuntary servitude for incarcerated persons” and was ultimately rejected by popular vote. |
| Palm Springs, CA | In 2021, the Palm Springs city council voted to formally apologize for the city’s role in the displacement of Black and Latino residents of Palm Springs Section 14.
In November 2024, the Palm Springs City Council announced a settlement package with the former residents of Section 14 which included a $5.91 million cash settlement for the former residents and their descendants, $20 million in housing programs, $1 million for small business support; and the creation and renaming of landmarks to honor the neighborhoods legacy. |
| San Francisco, CA | In February 2024, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution apologizing “to African Americans and their descendants for systemic and structural discrimination, targeted acts of violence, and atrocities; and committing to the rectification and redress of past policies and misdeeds”. |
| Evanston, IL | In 2019, the Evanston City Council passed Resolution 126-R-19, which committed the first ten million dollars of the City’s Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax to fund local reparations for housing and economic development programs for Black Evanston residents.
The Restorative Housing program is the first initiative of the City’s reparation program, which has provided Black Evanston residents with funds to support home ownership, home improvement, and mortgage assistance. |
| Boston, MA | In 2022, Boston issued a formal apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. They also voted to form a reparations task force in the same year. |
| St. Paul, MN | In 2021, the St. Paul City Council issued a formal apology for the City’s role in the institutional and structural racism experienced by its residents: Redlining and racial covenants; Removal of Saint Paul’s Rondo neighborhood; Access to housing; Environmental Injustice; General structural institutional racism.
In 2023, the St. Paul City Council established the Saint Paul Recovery Act Community Reparations Commission. The City also established an Inheritance Fund for descendants of Rondo neighborhood, a historically black neighborhood in the city, that was destroyed in the creation of Interstate 94. |
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