Committee advances bill requiring racial equity practices in agency strategic plans
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Summary
AB 1823 would require state agencies to embed racial equity practices in strategic plans and to perform racial equity analyses before budgets or regulations; testimony said many agencies lack standardized guidance and accountability.
Assemblymember Jackson presented AB 1823 to require state agencies and departments to incorporate racial equity practices into strategic plans and to conduct racial equity analyses before implementing budgets or regulations. Jackson framed the bill as building on existing executive actions and creating durable infrastructure for equity.
Holly Nickel of the Capital Collaborative on Race and Equity described interviews with state entities and recommended standardized tools, guidance and templates to support equity work and to increase transparency and accountability. "What is needed is durable and lasting codified infrastructure and guidance that will help employees and state entities year after year be accountable for racial equity both in their strategic plans and with their budgets proactively instead of retroactively," Nickel said.
Supporters from NextGen California, Public Health Advocates and the Greenlining Institute testified and members praised the measure as a step to address disparities. The committee moved AB 1823 to the committee on appropriations; roll call recorded 14 ayes and 5 no votes.
