Bill > AB62

This bill establishes a process for addressing racially motivated eminent domain in California, creating a mechanism for individuals or their descendants to seek restitution for properties taken without just compensation due to racial discrimination. The bill defines "racially motivated eminent domain" as property acquisition by a government entity where compensation was not provided or was inadequate because of the owner's race or ethnicity. The Office of Legal Affairs within an unspecified agency would be responsible for reviewing applications from dispossessed owners, investigating claims, and determining appropriate compensation, which could include returning the original property, providing equivalent publicly held property, or offering financial compensation calculated at the property's current fair market value minus the original payment, adjusted for inflation. If the government agency rejects the office's determination, the dispossessed owner can challenge the taking in court, and notably, such legal actions would not be subject to typical statute of limitations restrictions. The bill emphasizes that its purpose is to redress past racial discrimination, prevent future discriminatory practices, and benefit the community's overall welfare. By creating this restitution process, the legislation aims to address historical injustices in property takings that disproportionately harmed racial minorities and prevented the accumulation of generational wealth.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB62