California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 518, creating a new state agency to oversee reparations programs for descendants of enslaved Americans. The Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery will function under the California Civil Rights Department and be led by a deputy director appointed by the governor. It will include three divisions: Genealogy, Education and Outreach, and Legal Affairs, each tasked with managing different aspects of the program.
The Genealogy Division will verify eligibility based on lineage, while the Education and Outreach Division will promote public understanding of historical racial discrimination, including redlining and housing inequities. The Legal Affairs Division will ensure all programs comply with state law. The bureau’s funding will depend on future legislative appropriations, though it can also receive money from federal, state, and private sources. The law includes strong privacy protections to safeguard genetic and personal data.
This development builds on earlier reparations initiatives, notably AB 3121, which Newsom signed in 2020 to form a task force studying reparations. That task force recommended a range of proposals, including direct cash payments and non-cash benefits like housing and education assistance. Although Newsom initially distanced himself from direct payments, he has backed several related policies, including a formal state apology in 2024.
The bureau addresses key logistical gaps that previously hindered implementation. Last year, internal disagreements within the California Legislative Black Caucus and concerns over administration led Newsom to veto an earlier version of the bill. SB 518 is designed to resolve those issues and create the necessary infrastructure.
Still, the initiative faces political and financial challenges. With estimated costs exceeding $800 billion, critics question its feasibility. Meanwhile, changing political dynamics — such as Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff’s recent support for conservative policies — reflect shifting public sentiment and rising skepticism, even among former progressive allies.
