WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

AB 977

California Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 2001: California State University: burial sites: human remains.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sabrina Cervantes and 1 co-sponsor

California requires CSU to inventory Native American remains, consult tribes, and facilitate repatriation of ancestral human remains and burial objects from university collections.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 131, Statutes of 2025.
#californianativeamericangravesprotectionandrepatriationactof2001 #californiastateuniversity #burialsites #humanremains
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · AB 977

Legislative bill overview

AB 977 amends California's Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to expand protections for Native American burial sites and human remains held by California State University institutions. The bill requires CSU campuses to conduct inventories, consult with Native American tribes, and facilitate the repatriation of ancestral remains and associated funerary objects.

Why is this important

Many CSU campuses hold Native American human remains and artifacts from historical excavations, often without proper tribal consultation or repatriation. This law addresses historical injustices by giving tribes greater authority over their ancestors' remains and ensures compliance with both state and federal repatriation standards, which has significant cultural and spiritual importance to Native communities.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: CSU systems may face substantial expenses conducting comprehensive inventories, conducting consultations, and managing repatriations across multiple campuses
  • Archaeological vs. cultural sovereignty: Tensions between academic research interests and tribal rights to determine the fate of ancestral remains and artifacts
  • Timeline and compliance burden: Universities must balance expedited repatriation requests with thorough identification and documentation processes, potentially straining administrative resources

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.