AB 977: California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001: California State University: burial sites: human remains.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes the California State University, under the administration of the Trustees of the California State University, as one of the segments of public postsecondary education in this state. The California State University comprises 23 institutions of higher education located throughout the state.

The California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001 requires all agencies and museums, which is defined to include higher education institutions, that receive state funding and have possession or control over collections of California Native American human remains and associated funerary objects to inventory those remains and objects for repatriation to the appropriate California Indian tribes, as specified.

Existing law requires the California State University to comply with additional requirements regarding the handling, maintenance, and repatriation of Native American human remains and cultural items under the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001, including adopting and implementing policies and procedures on the systemwide requirements for submitting, processing, and implementing claims for the repatriation of human remains and cultural items, as specified.

This bill would require the California State University to develop a policy for the reburial of Native American human remains that have been repatriated on land owned by the California State University, as provided. The bill would require the policy to require the California State University to consult with California Indian tribes, including on specified topics. The bill would also require the policy to require that any proposed location for the reburial of repatriated Native American human remains be mutually agreed upon by the California State University and the California Indian tribes that are culturally affiliated with the potential reburial land.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. September 26, 2025Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 131, Statutes of 2025.
2. September 26, 2025Approved by the Governor.
3. September 9, 2025Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
4. September 2, 2025Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 78. Noes 0. Page 2807.).
5. August 26, 2025In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
6. August 25, 2025Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 2251.).
7. August 20, 2025Read second time. Ordered to Consent Calendar.
8. August 19, 2025From committee: Be ordered to second reading file pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8 and ordered to Consent Calendar.
9. July 17, 2025From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To Consent Calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (July 16). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
10. July 8, 2025From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.
11. June 19, 2025In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
12. June 11, 2025Referred to Com. on ED.