Relates to the documentation and preservation of Black history in New York state by the state university of New York

Latest action Mar 16, 2026

Establishes the New York state Black history preservation commission to ensure the documentation and preservation of Black history in New York state within the state university of New York.

Not chosen yet

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Amends the Education Law.

Committee

Higher Education · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Higher Education · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To create an official state mechanism to capture, record and preserve the history of Black New Yorkers, particularly those who are Older New Yorkers, and who, in their collective lifetimes have witnessed the entire continuum from Slavery to Jim Crow, Migration, Civil Rights, The Great Society, Obamacare, et al.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateMar 16, 2026Result: passed
(62) (0) (0) (1)
Vote: Committee vote · Higher Education
Senate Higher EducationMar 10, 2026Result: passed
(11) (0) (0) (0)
Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 10, 2025Result: passed
(57) (1) (0) (5)
Vote: Committee vote · Rules
Senate RulesJun 4, 2025Result: passed
(20) (0) (0) (1)

Cosponsors

Rachel May

Democratic1

Rachel May

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

From slavery to Reconstruction, the injustices of Jim Crow, the Civil Rights Movement, and the ongoing fight for equity today, Black people have played a significant role in the development of New York. The state recognizes that the Black community has been uprooted and its history has been lost due to gentrification and the underrepresentation of Black history. Therefore, a commission must be established in order to prevent Black communities from losing their history. We wouldn't know our origins or how to resolve problems that have arisen in the past if history didn't exist. By establishing this commission, we will document, preserve, and distribute historical resources about Black history in New York, as well as increase knowledge and awareness of Black history.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

Mar 16, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Mar 16, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Mar 16, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly
Mar 12, 2026
Advanced to Third Reading
ADVANCED TO THIRD READING
NY Senate
Mar 11, 2026
2ND Report CAL.
2ND REPORT CAL.
NY Senate

Show full history (10 earlier events)

Mar 10, 2026
1ST Report CAL.517
1ST REPORT CAL.517
NY Senate
Jan 7, 2026
Died in Assembly
DIED IN ASSEMBLY
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate
Jun 10, 2025
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Jun 10, 2025
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
Jun 10, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Assembly
Jun 4, 2025
In committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
Jun 4, 2025
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1533
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1533
NY Senate
May 21, 2025
Amend and Recommit to Higher Education
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate
Feb 19, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
NY Senate

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Nov 2, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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