A California lawmaker proposes a bill that would grant priority in university admission to descendants of slaves.

A bill will be introduced by a California lawmaker to provide priority admission to the two largest public university systems in the state for descendants of slaves.

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Democrat representing parts of Los Angeles, announced that he will introduce a bill in Sacramento as lawmakers are sworn in for a new legislative session. Bryan stated that universities have been giving priority admission to certain applicants for years, which has mainly benefited donors and their families.

"Universities have historically given preferential admission treatment to donors and their family members, while others with legacies of harm were ignored or excluded. It is our moral responsibility to take action to rectify these wrongs."

The incoming Trump administration is predicted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and as a result, Planet Chronicle Digital has contacted Bryan's office.

The Supreme Court banned affirmative action in college admissions last year, but allowed legacy preferences, which favor the children of alumni and donors, leaving critics arguing that admissions are now even more biased against students of color.

Bryan stated that there is an increasing recognition of California's contribution to the inequalities resulting from slavery, and there is a determination to address and mend that harm.

The bill prioritizes admission of descendants of slaves to the University of California and California State University systems. In 2023, Black students made up about 4% of the California State University's student population and about 4.7% at the University of California, according to the university systems' latest reports.

Despite California never having allowed slavery, a proposal has been made to pay reparations to the descendants of slaves in the state. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law to formally apologize for the state's legacy of racism and discrimination against Black residents, but reparations efforts have yielded mixed results.

In a special session, lawmakers were discussing ways to safeguard the state's progressive policies amidst President-elect Trump's plans to curb "wokeness" in schools and his criticism of the Department of Education.

He has criticized the department and called for it to be dismantled.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.