The Alliance for Reparations, Reconciliation and Truth (ARRT) is a multi-racial, multi-sector alliance advancing reparations in California. Our mission is to educate the public about reparations, amplify the California Reparations Task Force’s Final Report and its recommendations, and achieve broad-based, multi-racial public support of reparations.
ARRT believes that reparations should bring about transformative, systemic, and long-lasting policy solutions that change the lives of Black Californians and that address all five of the United Nations reparations principles and be aligned with the recommendations provided by the California Reparations Task Force Report.
Below is a complete list of the measures ARRT is prioritizing during the 2025-2026 Legislative Session:
Budget Request – Reparations Public Education Fund
This budget request seeks an $8 million one-time general fund allocation to establish a grant program to fund education efforts for Californians about civil rights and liberties violations against Black American Californians both historically and in the present.
Position: Sponsor
AB 57 (McKinnor) – Home Purchase Assistance Program: descendants of formerly enslaved people.
This bill seeks to require that, upon establishment of the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, which is tasked with determining whether an applicant qualifies as a descendant of a formerly enslaved person, at least 10% of the money in California Dream for All Fund to be made available to applicants who meet the requirements for a loan under the home purchase assistance program and are descendants of formerly enslaved people, as specified. More information on the measure.
Position: Support
AB 62 (McKinnor) Agency: racially motivated eminent domain
This bill seeks to require the Office of Legal Affairs within the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery, to review, investigate, and make certain determinations regarding applications from persons who claim they are the dispossessed owner, as defined, of property taken as a result of racially motivated eminent domain. More information on the measure.
Position: Support
SB 437 (Weber-Pierson) California State University: claim eligibility: genealogy and descendancy.
This bill seeks to require the California State University to independently research and report on scientific methodology to determine an individual’s genealogical fingerprint for the purpose of verification as a descendant of an enslaved person in the United States. More information on the measure.
Position: Support if amended
SB 518 (Weber-Pierson) Descendants of enslaved persons: reparations.
This bill seeks to establish the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within the Department of Justice, under the control of the director, to be appointed by the Attorney General and confirmed by the Senate. The bill would require the bureau, as part of its duties, to determine how an individual’s status as a descendant would be confirmed and require proof of an individual’s descendant status to be a qualifying criterion for benefits authorized by the state. More information on the measure.
Position: Support
