CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 977Introduced by Assembly Member RamosFebruary 20, 2025 An act to add Section 8028.73 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to Native American human remains. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 977, as introduced, Ramos. California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001: California State University: burial sites: human remains.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, as part of the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001, the California State University, in consultation with tribes, to develop a policy to identify available California State University-owned land for the burial of Native American human remains and designate 3 burial sites statewide, as specified. Following repatriation of Native American human remains by the California State University to a tribe, the bill would require the California State University, upon request of the tribe, to facilitate the burial of the human remains at one of the 3 designated burial sites, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 8028.73 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:8028.73. (a) Consistent with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) and this chapter, the California State University shall, in consultation with California Indian tribes, do all of the following:(1) (A) Develop a policy to identify available burial sites pursuant to paragraph (2) and designate three burial sites pursuant to paragraph (3).(B) Conduct a public hearing, notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), to establish the policy described in subparagraph (A).(2) Identify land owned by the California State University in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state as available locations for the burial of Native American human remains.(3) From the identified land described in paragraph (2), designate three burial sites, with one burial site in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state.(b) Following repatriation of Native American human remains to a California Indian tribe by the California State University pursuant to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) or this chapter, and upon request of the tribe, the California State University shall, in consultation with the tribe and in accordance with the tribes rituals and customs, facilitate the burial of the human remains at a burial site designated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 977Introduced by Assembly Member RamosFebruary 20, 2025 An act to add Section 8028.73 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to Native American human remains. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 977, as introduced, Ramos. California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001: California State University: burial sites: human remains.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, as part of the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001, the California State University, in consultation with tribes, to develop a policy to identify available California State University-owned land for the burial of Native American human remains and designate 3 burial sites statewide, as specified. Following repatriation of Native American human remains by the California State University to a tribe, the bill would require the California State University, upon request of the tribe, to facilitate the burial of the human remains at one of the 3 designated burial sites, as specified.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 977
Introduced by Assembly Member RamosFebruary 20, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Ramos
February 20, 2025
An act to add Section 8028.73 to the Health and Safety Code, relating to Native American human remains.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 977, as introduced, Ramos. California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001: California State University: burial sites: human remains.
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, as part of the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001, the California State University, in consultation with tribes, to develop a policy to identify available California State University-owned land for the burial of Native American human remains and designate 3 burial sites statewide, as specified. Following repatriation of Native American human remains by the California State University to a tribe, the bill would require the California State University, upon request of the tribe, to facilitate the burial of the human remains at one of the 3 designated burial sites, as specified.
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, as part of the California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001, the California State University, in consultation with tribes, to develop a policy to identify available California State University-owned land for the burial of Native American human remains and designate 3 burial sites statewide, as specified. Following repatriation of Native American human remains by the California State University to a tribe, the bill would require the California State University, upon request of the tribe, to facilitate the burial of the human remains at one of the 3 designated burial sites, as specified.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 8028.73 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:8028.73. (a) Consistent with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) and this chapter, the California State University shall, in consultation with California Indian tribes, do all of the following:(1) (A) Develop a policy to identify available burial sites pursuant to paragraph (2) and designate three burial sites pursuant to paragraph (3).(B) Conduct a public hearing, notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), to establish the policy described in subparagraph (A).(2) Identify land owned by the California State University in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state as available locations for the burial of Native American human remains.(3) From the identified land described in paragraph (2), designate three burial sites, with one burial site in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state.(b) Following repatriation of Native American human remains to a California Indian tribe by the California State University pursuant to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) or this chapter, and upon request of the tribe, the California State University shall, in consultation with the tribe and in accordance with the tribes rituals and customs, facilitate the burial of the human remains at a burial site designated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 8028.73 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:8028.73. (a) Consistent with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) and this chapter, the California State University shall, in consultation with California Indian tribes, do all of the following:(1) (A) Develop a policy to identify available burial sites pursuant to paragraph (2) and designate three burial sites pursuant to paragraph (3).(B) Conduct a public hearing, notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), to establish the policy described in subparagraph (A).(2) Identify land owned by the California State University in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state as available locations for the burial of Native American human remains.(3) From the identified land described in paragraph (2), designate three burial sites, with one burial site in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state.(b) Following repatriation of Native American human remains to a California Indian tribe by the California State University pursuant to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) or this chapter, and upon request of the tribe, the California State University shall, in consultation with the tribe and in accordance with the tribes rituals and customs, facilitate the burial of the human remains at a burial site designated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
SECTION 1. Section 8028.73 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
8028.73. (a) Consistent with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) and this chapter, the California State University shall, in consultation with California Indian tribes, do all of the following:(1) (A) Develop a policy to identify available burial sites pursuant to paragraph (2) and designate three burial sites pursuant to paragraph (3).(B) Conduct a public hearing, notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), to establish the policy described in subparagraph (A).(2) Identify land owned by the California State University in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state as available locations for the burial of Native American human remains.(3) From the identified land described in paragraph (2), designate three burial sites, with one burial site in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state.(b) Following repatriation of Native American human remains to a California Indian tribe by the California State University pursuant to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) or this chapter, and upon request of the tribe, the California State University shall, in consultation with the tribe and in accordance with the tribes rituals and customs, facilitate the burial of the human remains at a burial site designated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
8028.73. (a) Consistent with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) and this chapter, the California State University shall, in consultation with California Indian tribes, do all of the following:(1) (A) Develop a policy to identify available burial sites pursuant to paragraph (2) and designate three burial sites pursuant to paragraph (3).(B) Conduct a public hearing, notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), to establish the policy described in subparagraph (A).(2) Identify land owned by the California State University in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state as available locations for the burial of Native American human remains.(3) From the identified land described in paragraph (2), designate three burial sites, with one burial site in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state.(b) Following repatriation of Native American human remains to a California Indian tribe by the California State University pursuant to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) or this chapter, and upon request of the tribe, the California State University shall, in consultation with the tribe and in accordance with the tribes rituals and customs, facilitate the burial of the human remains at a burial site designated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
8028.73. (a) Consistent with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) and this chapter, the California State University shall, in consultation with California Indian tribes, do all of the following:(1) (A) Develop a policy to identify available burial sites pursuant to paragraph (2) and designate three burial sites pursuant to paragraph (3).(B) Conduct a public hearing, notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), to establish the policy described in subparagraph (A).(2) Identify land owned by the California State University in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state as available locations for the burial of Native American human remains.(3) From the identified land described in paragraph (2), designate three burial sites, with one burial site in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state.(b) Following repatriation of Native American human remains to a California Indian tribe by the California State University pursuant to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) or this chapter, and upon request of the tribe, the California State University shall, in consultation with the tribe and in accordance with the tribes rituals and customs, facilitate the burial of the human remains at a burial site designated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).
8028.73. (a) Consistent with the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) and this chapter, the California State University shall, in consultation with California Indian tribes, do all of the following:
(1) (A) Develop a policy to identify available burial sites pursuant to paragraph (2) and designate three burial sites pursuant to paragraph (3).
(B) Conduct a public hearing, notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code), to establish the policy described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Identify land owned by the California State University in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state as available locations for the burial of Native American human remains.
(3) From the identified land described in paragraph (2), designate three burial sites, with one burial site in the northern, central, and southern regions of the state.
(b) Following repatriation of Native American human remains to a California Indian tribe by the California State University pursuant to the federal Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 3001 et seq.) or this chapter, and upon request of the tribe, the California State University shall, in consultation with the tribe and in accordance with the tribes rituals and customs, facilitate the burial of the human remains at a burial site designated pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (a).