AB-2115 • 2026

California Native Americans: formal apology.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Ramos
Last action: 2026-06-03
Official status: Referred to Coms. on JUD. and G.O.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not specify who will sign the formal apology or what state leaders are involved.

California Native Americans: Formal Apology

This law requires California to formally apologize for past harms and atrocities against Native American people, install a plaque in the State Capitol, and make the apology available to the public.

What This Bill Does

Requires the state of California to recognize its responsibility for the harm done to Native Americans through policies that promoted violence.
Apologizes on behalf of the state for the harms caused by these policies.
Directs the Department of General Services and Joint Rules Committee to manage the installation and maintenance of a plaque in the State Capitol Building memorializing this apology.
Requests specified state leaders sign the formal apology, which will be archived for public viewing.

Who It Names or Affects

The State of California
California Native Americans

Terms To Know

Chattel slavery: A system where people are treated as property and forced to work without pay.
Legislature: The group of elected officials who make laws for a state or country.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not provide details on how the apology will be worded.
Does not specify when the plaque must be installed and made available to the public.
Does not outline consequences if the duties are not carried out as required.

Bill History

2026-06-03 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on JUD. and G.O.
2026-05-27 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2026-05-26 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 78. Noes 0.)
2026-05-18 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2026-05-14 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (May 14).
2026-04-15 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to APPR. suspense file.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 12. Noes 0.) (March 24). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2026-03-24 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2026-03-09 California Legislative Information
Referred to Com. on JUD.
2026-02-19 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee March 21.
2026-02-18 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 2115, as introduced, Ramos.
California Native Americans: formal apology.
Existing law provides that the State of California recognizes and accepts responsibility for the harms and atrocities committed by the state in promoting, facilitating, enforcing, and permitting chattel slavery and apologizes for perpetuating the harms African Americans have faced, as specified. Existing law requires a plaque memorializing this apology to be publicly and conspicuously installed and maintained in the State Capitol Building.
This bill would provide that the State of California recognizes and accepts responsibility for all of the harms and atrocities committed by its representatives who promoted, permitted, facilitated, and enforced policies of violence against California Native Americans. The bill would further provide that the State of California apologizes for perpetuating the harms California Native Americans as a result of
policies enacted, sanctioned, or tolerated by the Legislature. The bill would require a plaque memorializing this apology to be publicly and conspicuously installed and maintained in the State Capitol Building. The bill would impose various duties on the Department of General Services and the Joint Rules Committee relating to the installation and maintenance of the plaque. The bill would authorize the Department of General Services and the Joint Rules Committee to receive money from grants and private donations and would continuously appropriate those funds for this purpose, as specified.
The bill would require the Legislature to prepare the formal apology and would request it be signed by specified state leaders. The bill would require the Secretary of State to submit a final copy of this formal apology to the State Archives, where it would be available for viewing by the general public in perpetuity. The bill would include related legislative
findings.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Download Bill PDF