Report 2021-047 Recommendation Responses
Report 2021-047: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act: Despite Some Recent Improvements, the University of California Has Not Yet Taken Adequate Action to Ensure Its Timely Return of Native American Remains and Cultural Items (Release Date: November 2022)
Recommendation for Legislative Action
To ensure that the university continues its recent progress in returning remains and cultural items to tribes, the Legislature should amend state law to require the university to periodically report its campuses' progress towards completing repatriation.
Description of Legislative Action
AB 226 (Ramos, 2023) would strongly urge the University of California to, on or before June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, report each University of California campus's progress towards completing repatriation pursuant to the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001. This bill is pending in the Assembly.
In addition, SB-61 (Dodd, 2023) would declare the Legislature's intent to ensure that the University of California reports each institution's progress towards completing repatriation. This bill is pending in the Senate.
- Legislative Action Current As-of: February 2026
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Legislation Introduced
Description of Legislative Action
AB 226 (Chapter 639, Statutes of 2023) strongly urges the University of California to, on or before June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, report each University of California campus's progress towards completing repatriation pursuant to the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001.
- Legislative Action Current As-of: February 2026
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Legislation Enacted
Description of Legislative Action
AB 226 (Ramos, 2023) would strongly urge the University of California to, on or before June 30, 2024, and annually thereafter, report each University of California campus's progress toward completing repatriation pursuant to the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001. As of January 18, 2023 this bill is pending in the Assembly.
In addition, SB-61 (Dodd, 2023) would declare the Legislature's intent to ensure that the University of California reports each institution's progress towards completing repatriation. As of January 18, 2023, this bill was referred to the Assembly Committee on Education.
- Legislative Action Current As-of: January 2023