Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed today as Native American Day and signed several bills supporting California Native communities. The announcement coincides with a gathering of Native American tribal leaders at the State Capitol to celebrate the day.

The newly signed legislation includes measures aimed at improving laws for vulnerable Native American youth and increasing access to social supports. Assembly Bill 81, introduced by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland), strengthens protections in the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) by incorporating them into the California Welfare and Institutions Code. Another bill, AB 2795 by Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno), aims to reduce administrative barriers for CalWORKS and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) services in Indian Health Clinics.

Additionally, Governor Newsom signed AB 1821, also by Assemblymember Ramos, which mandates that education from elementary through high school regarding the Mission and Gold Rush periods include the treatment and perspectives of Native Americans. This is intended to provide students with a fuller understanding of California’s history.

Senate Bill 310, authored by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa), allows the California Natural Resources Agency and local air districts to form agreements with federally recognized California Native American tribes to facilitate cultural burns in ancestral territories.

Governor Newsom stated, “I’m proud of the progress California has made to reckon with the dark chapters of our past, and we’re committed to continuing this important work to promote equity, inclusion and accountability for Native peoples. As we celebrate the many tribal communities in California today, we recommit to working with tribal partners to better address their unique needs and strengthen California for all.”

In addition to these bills, last week Governor Newsom signed measures supporting tribal communities in developing more housing. AB 1878 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) establishes a Tribal Housing Advisory Committee within the Department of Housing and Community Development. This committee will consist of members from federally recognized tribal governments who will provide technical assistance for tribal housing programs. SB 1187 by Senator Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) creates the Tribal Housing Grant Program Trust Fund dedicated to supporting tribal housing projects.

A full list of the recently signed bills includes:

- AB 81: Indian children: child custody proceedings.

- AB 1284: Tribal ancestral lands and waters: cogovernance and comanagement agreements.

- AB 1821: Pupil instruction: course of study: social sciences: treatment of Native Americans.

- AB 1863: California Emergency Services Act: notification systems: Feather Alert.

- AB 2108: Foster care: missing children and nonminor dependents.

- AB 2348: California Emergency Services Act: notification systems: Feather Alert.

- AB 2695: Law enforcement: criminal statistics.

- AB 2795: CalWORKs Indian Health Clinic Program.

- AB 3017: State-funded assistance grants and contracts: advance payments.

- AB 3074: School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act.

- SB 310: Prescribed fire: civil liability: cultural burns.

Previously signed bills include:

- AB 1878 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia – Housing programs: tribal housing program.

- AB 2261 by Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia – Transportation federal funding tribes.

- AB 2948 by Assemblymember James C. Ramos – Adoption Assistance Program tribal court order.

- SB 1440 by Senator John Laird – School operations four-day school week.

- SB 1187 by Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire – Housing programs Tribal Housing Reconstitution Resiliency Act.

For full text of these bills, visit http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.

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