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About the Native American Caucus

Assemblymember James C. Ramos, ChairAssembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon and Assemblymember James C. Ramos announced the formation of the California Native American Caucus in March 2021. Ramos was named as the chair of the new group. The California Native American Legislative Caucus was charged with increasing awareness and education in the Legislature about the culture, history and impact of various social issues on our state’s Native Americans. 

Governor signs Ramos bill encouraging state consultation with tribes on state actions directly impacting Native Americans

SACRAMENTO—Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed a measure encouraging the state and its agencies to consult with California tribes and tribal organizations when state actions have a direct impact on the tribes and also requiring state officials to receive training about tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction. AB 923, is one measure in a five-bill tribal package authored by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) and that Newsom has approved. 

In his release announcing his approval of the tribal bills, Newsom said, ““As we lift up the rich history and contributions of California’s diverse tribal

Governor signs Ramos California Indian Education Act aimed at improving classroom instruction of Native American history and culture

AB 1703 and four other Ramos tribal bills signed on California Native American Day

SACRAMENTO—Governor Gavin Newsom approved a bill encouraging local schools to create task forces of area educators and tribal representatives to share local tribal history and culture, discuss issues of mutual concern and develop Native American curriculum and classroom materials. The measure, AB 1703, the California Indian Education Act, introduced by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) was part of a five-bill tribal package the lawmaker sent to Newsom and which he has approved.

Newsom stated in his release announcing approval of the measures, ““As we lift up the rich history and

Governor signs Ramos bill creating new tool to enlist public’s help in cases of missing Native American people

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed AB 1314 which would enlist public assistance when Indigenous people are missing under suspicious circumstances. The California Highway Patrol would activate the alert at the request of local law enforcement and it work much like an Amber Alert. AB 1314 was authored by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) and was one of a five-bill tribal package Ramos introduced and that Newsom has signed.

In announcing his approval of the proposal, Newsom said, “Today’s measures continue to move these efforts forward, including a new emergency alert system that

Governor signs Ramos bill to remove name of controversial law school founder who hired militias to kill Northern California Native Americans

SACRAMENTO—Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed a bill allowing the University of California, Hastings College of the Law to remove the name of its notorious founder from the school’s name and specifying restorative justice measures to benefit the Yuki and Round Valley Indian people. The proposal, AB 1936, was introduced by Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) and co-authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). The measure was part of a five-bill tribal package Newsom approved.

AB 1936 strikes the name of Serranus C. Hastings from the school’s name and specifies restorative justice

Newsom signs Ramos bill banning use of slur against Native women as name for California public lands, landmarks, geographic locations

SACRAMENTO—Gov. Newsom today signed a proposal to prohibit the use of the word “squaw” (S-word) for geographic features and place names in California by January 1, 2024. The measure, AB 2022, was introduced by Assemblymembers James C. Ramos (D-Highland), the first California Native American elected to the state legislature and Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. AB 2022 was part of a five-bill Ramos tribal package sent to Newsom and which he has approved.

In the release announcing approval of the tribal measures, Newsom said, “As we lift up the

Ramos, Yabuno commemorate historic, first ever paid California Native American Day holiday for court workers

SAN BERNARDINO— Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-Highland) and Presiding Judge R. Glenn Yabuno of the San Bernardino Superior Court today commemorated the first ever paid California Native American Day holiday extended to staff of a state entity – court personnel. This year the holiday falls on Friday, September 23.

Ramos successfully introduced AB 855 in 2021 to permit court personnel to switch Columbus Day for California Native American Day. The Judicial Council sponsored the bill.

The lawmaker, a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, is the first California Native American lawmaker elected in