What's happening
This bill establishes a commission to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Africans' arrival in America and promote African-American history in New York.
Why it matters
Creates a structured, state-level effort. to recognize the profound and lasting impact of slavery and institutional racism on New York and the United States, fostering an official acknowledgment and education around these issues.
Supports local and nonprofit organizations. through grants and coordination, empowering grassroots groups and scholars to develop educational, artistic, and civic programs that highlight African-American resilience and achievements since 1619.
Aims to make the commemoration meaningful and enduring. by encouraging inclusivity, public engagement, and the development of programs intended to leave a long-term legacy, rather than being a one-time event.
Ensures accountability and transparency. through mandated reporting to the governor and legislature, requiring detailed summaries of activities, financial accounting, and recommendations for ongoing recognition of African-American history.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Black History Commission
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to finance
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8076
IN SENATE
March 26, 2018
Introduced by Sen. HAMILTON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT establishing the 400 Years of African-American History Commission; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The 400 Years of African-American History Commission, hereinafter the "commission", is hereby established within the department of state. The commission shall develop and carry out activities throughout the state to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia, in 1619.
§ 2. (a) The commission shall consist of thirteen members, including the secretary of state, or his or her designee, the commissioner of education, or his or her designee, three members appointed by the governor, three members appointed by the temporary president of the senate, three members appointed by the speaker of the assembly, one member appointed by the senate minority leader, and one member appointed by the assembly minority leader. Appointed members shall include but not be limited to historians and those with a background in African-American history, arts, or culture. Such appointments shall be made within 30 days of the effective date of this act.
(b) A vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
(c) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for all necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(d) The secretary of state, or his or her designee, shall serve as the chair and shall appoint the vice-chair of the commission. The presence of a majority of the authorized membership of the commission shall be required for the conduct of official business.
(e) The department of state shall provide technical assistance and data to the commission as may be necessary for the commission to carry out its responsibilities pursuant to this act.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD15191-01-8
S. 8076 2
§ 3. The commission shall:
(a) plan programs appropriate for the commemoration to:
(1) acknowledge the impact that slavery and laws that enforced racial discrimination had on New York and the United States;
(2) recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African-Americans since 1619; and
(3) educate the public about the arrival of Africans in the United States and the contributions of African-Americans to New York and the United States;
(b) encourage civic, patriotic, historical, educational, artistic, religious, economic and other organizations to organize and participate in anniversary activities to expand understanding and appreciation of the significance of the arrival of Africans in New York and the United States and the contributions of African-Americans to New York and the United States;
(c) assist localities and nonprofit organizations to further the commemoration;
(d) coordinate for the public scholarly research on the arrival of Africans in the United States and their contributions to New York and the United States;
(e) ensure that the commemoration provides a lasting legacy and longterm public benefit by assisting in the development of appropriate programs; and
(f) ensure that the observances of the commemoration are inclusive and appropriately recognize the experiences and heritage of all individuals present at the arrival of Africans in New York and the United States.
§ 4. The commission may, from any monies appropriated for such purposes, provide:
(a) grants to communities and nonprofit organizations for the development of programs; and
(b) grants to research and scholarly organizations to research, publish, or distribute information relating to the arrival of Africans in New York and the United States.
§ 5. The commission shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature that contains a summary of its planned activities, an accounting of its received and expended funds, and its findings and recommendations on or before October 1, 2018.
§ 6. The commission shall submit a report to the governor and the legislature that contains a summary of its activities, a final accounting of its received and expended funds, and its findings and recommendations on or before June 1, 2020.
§ 7. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed July 1, 2020.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act establishing the 400 Years of African-American History Commission; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose
The purpose of this bill shall be to highlight the contributions that Africans and African-Americans have made to our country and to our state. In addition, it shall be to bring communities together under events, activities and educational research by the 400 year commission and partnered community based organizations. The events and activities carried out by the commission can foster learning and developmental environments for youth, adults and seniors of all backgrounds and culti- vate opportunities to foster a better understanding of the development of our country, which was and is possible through the continuous contributions of African-Americans from 1619 until present day.
Summary of provisions
1) Section 1 shall establish the commission.
2) Section 2 shall define the criteria for membership, and filling vacancies of the commission.
3) Section 3 shall define the responsibilities of the commission as they relate to education, coordination, commemoration, research and all other duties of the commission defined in that section.
4) Section 4 defines ways in which the commission shall use appropriated funds.
5) Section 5 establishes the contents of the first report by the commis- sion before any events, activities or expenditure of funds.
6) Section 6 is the second report, which will summarize all activities and final accounting of all expenditures as well as all research find- ings and recommendations.
7) Section 7 contains the effective date and a date in which this act shall be deemed repealed.
Existing law
Under current law, New York has not established a 400 years of African- American History Commission.
Justification
The contributions that African Americans have made to our society are often overlooked and it is damaging to our diverse multicultural socie- ty, which was built on the contributions of African Americans from the colonial era, the early years of nation, to the industrial and techno- logical revolutions within our great country and state. It is even more important in a state as diverse as our own that we come together on this monumental anniversary and celebrate the contributions African Americans
have made in the 400 years since they first arrived on the shores of the east coast.
The idea that it is necessary stems from the fact that African American contributions to our society are great and expansive and as such, we should establish a commission with a purpose to highlight and integrate all of the many great contributions of African Americans to our state and country. In addition, that it should be done in ways in which, entire communities can unify and commemorate an anniversary such as this one.
Legislative history
This is a new bill.
Fiscal implications
Minimal, as all members of the commission shall severe without compen- sation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for all necessary expenses.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed July 1, 2020
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.