AB-7 • 2026

Postsecondary education: admissions preference: descendants of slavery.

Education

Vetoed

The latest official action shows the governor vetoed this bill. Check the bill history to see whether lawmakers later overrode that veto.

Sponsor: Bryan
Last action: 2026-01-22
Official status: Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact definition of 'descendants of slavery' is not provided by the bill text.

Admissions Preference for Descendants of Slavery

This bill would allow certain educational institutions in California to consider giving a preference in admissions to applicants who are descendants of slavery, provided it does not conflict with federal laws.

What This Bill Does

Allows the California State University, the University of California, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions to consider providing a preference in admissions to an applicant who is a descendant of slavery.

Who It Names or Affects

Applicants to the California State University, the University of California, independent institutions of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions who are descendants of slavery.

Terms To Know

Descendants of Slavery: People whose ancestors were enslaved in the United States.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how to define or identify descendants of slavery.
It is unclear if and when the Regents of the University of California will make this provision applicable to their institutions.
The governor vetoed this bill, so it did not become law.

Bill History

2026-01-22 California Legislative Information
Consideration of Governor's veto stricken from file.
2025-10-13 California Legislative Information
Consideration of Governor's veto pending.
2025-10-13 California Legislative Information
Vetoed by Governor.
2025-09-24 California Legislative Information
Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 3 p.m.
2025-09-12 California Legislative Information
Senate amendments concurred in. To Engrossing and Enrolling. (Ayes 55. Noes 18. Page 3363.).
2025-09-09 California Legislative Information
In Assembly. Concurrence in Senate amendments pending.
2025-09-09 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Assembly. (Ayes 30. Noes 10. Page 2744.).
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-08-29 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (August 29).
2025-08-18 California Legislative Information
In committee: Referred to suspense file.
2025-07-16 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 11. Noes 2.) (July 15). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-07-09 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 5. Noes 2.) (July 9). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-07-03 California Legislative Information
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to committee. Read second time, amended, and re-referred to Com. on ED.
2025-06-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on ED. and JUD.
2025-06-04 California Legislative Information
In Senate. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment.
2025-06-03 California Legislative Information
Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. (Ayes 54. Noes 17. Page 1965.)
2025-05-27 California Legislative Information
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
2025-05-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 11. Noes 3.) (May 23).
2025-05-14 California Legislative Information
In committee: Set, first hearing. Referred to suspense file.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 8. Noes 2.) (April 29). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
2025-04-30 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 6. Noes 3.) (April 22). Re-referred to Com. on JUD.
2025-04-23 California Legislative Information
Coauthors revised.
2025-02-18 California Legislative Information
Referred to Coms. on HIGHER ED. and JUD.
2024-12-03 California Legislative Information
From printer. May be heard in committee January 2.
2024-12-02 California Legislative Information
Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 7, Bryan.
Postsecondary education: admissions preference: descendants of slavery.
The California Constitution prohibits the state from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.
The Donahoe Higher Education Act sets forth, among other things, the missions and functions of California’s public and independent segments of higher education and their respective institutions of higher education. A provision of the act applies to the University of California only to the extent that the Regents of the University of California, by appropriate resolution, act to make the provision applicable.
This bill would state that the California State University, the University of California, independent institutions
of higher education, and private postsecondary educational institutions may consider providing a preference in admissions to an applicant who is a descendant of slavery, as defined, to the extent it does not conflict with federal law.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

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