The Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on Native American Affairs convened on August 29, 2023, to discuss significant compliance issues regarding the California State University (CSU) system's adherence to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and California's own Cal NAGPRA. The meeting, led by Chairman Ramos, highlighted the urgent need for an audit following troubling incidents and longstanding challenges in repatriation efforts.

Chairman Ramos emphasized the importance of the audit, referencing a previous review of the University of California in 2020, which revealed weaknesses in repatriation practices. The CSU audit was prompted by a recent incident at San Jose State University, where a faculty member mishandled Native American ancestral remains, straining relationships with local tribes. The legislature's passage of AB 28 in 2018 recognized NAGPRA and Cal NAGPRA as human rights laws, underscoring the state's commitment to respecting Native American cultural resources.

The audit aims to assess CSU's compliance with these laws, focusing on inventory management and repatriation efforts across all CSU campuses. Key findings from the audit revealed that twelve CSU campuses have not fully accounted for their collections nearly 30 years after NAGPRA's deadline. The audit indicated that approximately 700,000 items remain in CSU's possession, with many campuses citing a lack of funding and prioritization as barriers to compliance.

Progress in repatriation was also alarmingly low, with only one campus, Long Beach, having repatriated a significant portion of its collection. The audit found that many campuses had not taken proactive steps to inform tribes about their collections, further complicating repatriation efforts. Notably, some campuses returned remains without following required public notice protocols, increasing the risk of missed claims from tribes.

The audit also highlighted a lack of comprehensive policies and dedicated resources for repatriation across campuses. None of the four campuses reviewed had established robust repatriation policies, and many lacked the necessary staffing and funding to support compliance efforts. The absence of tribal representation in oversight committees was noted as a significant gap, which could hinder collaboration between CSU and Native American communities.

In conclusion, the findings from the audit underscore a critical need for CSU to prioritize compliance with NAGPRA and Cal NAGPRA. The committees expressed hope that the audit would lead to improved practices and stronger relationships with Native American tribes, aligning with California's values of respect for cultural heritage. The next steps will involve further discussions on how to address these compliance issues and enhance repatriation efforts across the CSU system.