Commission elects Commissioner Levin chair, approves subcommittee restructuring

Commissioner Levin was elected chair of the California Commission on the State of Hate on Feb. 26 after a roll-call vote that produced five votes for Levin and three for Vice Chair Salcedo.

The commission opened nominations and heard brief statements from the two nominees. Commissioner Levin said the commission should "intensify legislator interaction and make this commission permanent," expand public outreach and elevate research and community voices. Vice Chair Salcedo, who was nominated for chair, described their lived experience as a trans person targeted by hate and urged support for policies to protect vulnerable communities.

After the election, Levin pledged to continue outreach and to invite subject-matter experts and community voices for short presentations. "We have to roll up our sleeves," Levin said, and also asked for a transition meeting with outgoing Chair Russell Roybal and staff.

On related governance matters, the commission voted to restructure its subcommittees to align with strategic goals. Staff proposed broadening the data-and-research subcommittee to focus on "patterns, trends, and prevention" and expanding the law-enforcement recommendations subcommittee into a wider "resources, support, and response" remit that would include entities such as human relations commissions. Commissioner Cuellar moved the proposal and, after a roll call, the motion carried with six ayes.

The commission also approved routine business items including the Dec. 9 meeting minutes.

The newly elected leadership will assume their roles at the end of the meeting and said they plan to prioritize legislative outreach and community engagement as next steps.