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Bill

A 8819

Directs the commissioner of the office of general services to erect a monument to be known as the New York state African slavery and freedom memorial

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Khaleel Anderson

Requires the Office of General Services to erect the New York state African slavery and freedom memorial on state property to educate the public about slavery and freedom.

REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
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Bill Summary · A 8819

Bill Summary: A 8819 — New York State African Slavery and Freedom Memorial

Overview

A 8819 would require the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) to erect a monument titled the New York state African slavery and freedom memorial. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations.

  • Primary sponsor: Khaleel Anderson
  • Status: Referred to Governmental Operations (introduced and action taken on 2025-06-09)
  • Companion: S 8300 (Senate)

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to formally recognize and memorialize the history of African slavery in New York and the subsequent struggle for freedom. By directing state action to erect a dedicated monument, the measure seeks to provide a public, commemorative site to educate residents and visitors about this aspect of the state's history.

Key Provisions

  • Directs the commissioner of the Office of General Services to erect a monument.
  • The monument is to be known as the “New York state African slavery and freedom memorial.”
  • The bill specifies the naming but does not outline further design details, location, funding, or construction timeline within the text provided.
  • No explicit appropriation or funding source is stated in the summary of the bill text available here.

Affected Parties and Stakeholders

  • State government and agencies: Office of General Services (OGS) would oversee planning, design, and construction.
  • General public: The memorial would be placed on state property accessible to the public, serving educational and commemorative purposes.
  • Communities and advocacy groups focused on African American history and civil rights may have opportunities for input during design and placement discussions (not specified in the text provided).

Procedural History and Status

  • Introduced: June 9, 2025
  • Legislative action: Referred to Governmental Operations on June 9, 2025 (listed twice in the actions)
  • Companion Bill: S 8300 in the Senate (companion measure)

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Symbolic and educational value: Establishes a permanent public monument to recognize slavery and freedom, contributing to historical education.
  • Fiscal considerations: The bill does not specify funding; future actions would determine who funds design, construction, and ongoing maintenance.
  • Location and design process: Absent from the summary, but typically would involve site selection, design competition or approval, and procurement rules governed by OGS.
  • Process and timeline: As a newly introduced measure, passage would require approvals in both houses and signature by the Governor, with potential amendments along the way.

Next Steps

  • Movement through the Governmental Operations committee and subsequent floor votes in the Assembly.
  • Parallel consideration in the Senate for the companion S 8300.
  • If both houses pass, the bill would go to the Governor for signature or veto; funding and implementation details would likely be addressed in later legislative actions or related appropriations.

This summary provides the essential substance and potential impact based on the bill text and status as of introduction.

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

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