A package of bills authored by James C. Ramos, the first and only California Native American serving in the state’s legislature, focused on Native American rights, public safety, children and youth services, and mental health access cleared the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s suspense file this week, allowing the measures to continue moving through the California legislative process.
Ramos said the 2026 legislative package reflects the priorities he has championed since taking office.
“This 2026 package focuses on my priorities since election to office – families, public safety and correcting past inequities against California Native Americans,” Ramos stated.
Bills Approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee
The measures advancing from the Assembly suspense file include:
- AB 1592 — California Indian Heritage Center Support Organization: Would authorize the California Department of Parks and Recreation to partner with the California Indian Heritage Center Support Organization to support development of the California Indian Heritage Center facility. Sponsored by the Jamul Indian Village of California.
- AB 1681 — Victim Notification: Seeks to strengthen victims’ rights by ensuring timely notifications regarding offender releases, parole hearings, escapes, and special parole conditions. The bill would remove the requirement for victims to navigate a separate notification process during traumatic circumstances. Sponsored by the California District Attorneys Association, Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
- AB 1769 — Tribal Articulation: Would improve transfer pathways for students attending tribal colleges into California’s public higher education systems. The measure calls for development of transfer agreements aimed at minimizing duplicated coursework and streamlining credit transfers. Co-sponsored by Table Mountain and California Indian Nations College.
- AB 1841 — California Native American Day: Would designate California Native American Day as a paid holiday for all state employees. The proposal expands on Ramos’ 2021 legislation, AB 855, which established the holiday for judicial employees. Sponsored by the California Native Vote Project.
- AB 1881 — California Indian Freedom Act of 2026: Aims to strengthen protections for California Native Americans engaging in religious practices and accessing sacred sites on state public lands while requiring state agencies to respect Indigenous cultural traditions. Sponsored by Indigenous Justice.
- AB 1889 — Criminal Protective Orders: Would allow courts to issue criminal protective orders valid for two years after a defendant’s release if the original order has expired. The measure applies to cases involving domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. Co-sponsored by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
- AB 2018 — California Missing Persons Program Update: Updates state law to expand California’s use of advances in forensic technology to identify human remains and locate missing persons. Sponsored by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
- AB 2115 — State Apology to California Native Americans: Would establish a formal apology from the California Legislature to California Native Americans for historical violence, displacement, and cultural suppression and require installation of a commemorative plaque in the State Capitol. Sponsored by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians.
- AB 2187 — Tribal Public Contracts: Would exempt federally recognized tribes and tribal enterprises from certain state bidding requirements related to procurement and contracting. Sponsored by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians.
Additional Ramos Bills Continue Advancing
Other Ramos measures continuing through the legislative process include:
- AB 308 — Mobile Crisis Response Teams: Encourages county behavioral health directors to develop specialized training for mobile crisis response teams working with individuals with autism, behavioral health conditions, or developmental disabilities. Co-sponsored by Autism Society Inland Empire and Autism Heroes.
- AB 1579 — Children’s Crisis Pilot Program: Expands flexibility within residential crisis services programs to better serve foster youth across California. Co-sponsored by Just Advocates and the California Alliance of Child and Family Services.
- AB 1581 — Indigenous Student Undercount: Addresses the undercounting of Indigenous students in California schools. According to the American Institutes for Research, as many as 70% of Indigenous students are not properly represented in education data reporting and analysis, affecting access to resources and opportunities. Sponsored by the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.
- AB 1586 — School Safety & Opioid Overdose Prevention Act: Would require School Resource Officers to complete opioid overdose prevention training every two years. Sponsored by the Association of Alcohol & Drug Program Executives.
- AB 1824 — Indian Child Welfare Act: Clarifies compliance requirements related to the Indian Child Welfare Act and California ICWA in probate guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. The bill seeks to ensure probate courts consistently apply protections already established under federal and state law. Sponsored by California Indian Legal Services, California Tribal Families Coalition, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
- AB 1948 — Concealed Carry Weapons Permits: Would extend the duration of newly issued concealed carry weapon permits from two years to three years. Sponsored by San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus.
