In a move to address longstanding racial injustices, California State Senator Steven Bradford, a Democrat, has introduced a bill aimed at diverting surplus funds towards reparations for African-American descendants. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1331, seeks to allocate a portion of reserve funds from the state’s General Fund to establish a “Fund for Reparations and Restorative Justice.”

Under SB 1331, 6 percent of the money transferred to the Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties (SFEU) would be earmarked for the reparations fund. The reparations fund, according to the bill, would support policies designed to indemnify African-American descendants of enslaved persons or free Black individuals living in the United States before the end of the 19th century.

Senator Bradford emphasized that SB 1331 does not draw funds from existing programs but rather utilizes general fund budget reserves. He stressed the importance of acknowledging systemic inequalities rooted in historical policies such as redlining and racially motivated uses of eminent domain laws.

The introduction of SB 1331 coincides with a broader effort by the state’s Legislative Black Caucus, which recently introduced a package of 14 bills addressing reparations. While direct cash payments to descendants of slaves are not included in the proposed legislation, measures such as an apology for human rights violations and prioritization of African-American applicants for occupational licensing are being considered.

Bradford’s advocacy for reparations follows his participation in the state’s Reparations Task Force, which issued a comprehensive report last summer. The report, spanning over 1,100 pages, outlined recommendations including the decriminalization of public urination and defunding of school police.

The proposal for reparations comes amidst a significant budget deficit in California, which has swelled to $73 billion. This deficit, exacerbated by a $24 billion decrease in revenues, presents a challenging fiscal landscape for the state.

As discussions around reparations gain momentum, Senator Bradford’s bill and the broader legislative efforts reflect a concerted push towards addressing historical injustices and advancing racial equity in California.