Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans.

Existing law establishes the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, with a Special Consideration for African Americans Who are Descendants of Persons Enslaved in the United States (Task Force) . Under existing law, the Task Force consists of 9 members, with 5 members appointed by the Governor, 2 members appointed by the President pro Tempore of the Senate, and 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly. Existing law establishes the term of office for members as the life of the Task Force. Existing law requires the Task Force to elect a chair and vice chair from among its members. Existing law requires the Task Force, among other things, to identify, compile, and synthesize the relevant corpus of evidentiary documentation of the institution of slavery that existed within the United States and the colonies, as specified, and to recommend the form of compensation that should be awarded, the instrumentalities through which it should be awarded, and who should be eligible for this compensation. Existing law requires the Task Force to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature within a year of the first meeting of the Task Force, as prescribed. Existing law repeals these provisions on July 1, 2023. This bill would remove the specified term of office for appointees and, instead, subject the appointees to removal at the pleasure of their appointing authority. The bill would authorize the Task Force, by majority vote, to elect officers and create advisory bodies and subcommittees to accomplish its duties. The bill would require the Task Force to submit at least one report. The bill would place any reports of the Task Force within the public domain and would provide that the State of California retains no copyright or other proprietary interest in that information. The bill would extend the operation of these provisions, as amended by the bill, until July 1, 2024.