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Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed   

August 25, 2025

Assemblymember James C. Ramos is criticizing the University of California for failing to repatriate thousands of Native American remains and sacred artifacts despite federal and state legal requirements. UC officials will face lawmakers in a joint hearing on August 26 at the Capitol Annex Building, where legislators will demand clear timelines for compliance and may consider stricter oversight measures.

Who is affected

  • Native American tribes (specifically mentioned: Tachi Yokut Tribe, Ventura Chumash, Redding Rancheria, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, and Tule River Tribe)
  • Native American communities whose ancestral remains and cultural items remain in UC possession
  • University of California system (particularly UC Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, and UC San Diego)
  • Tribal representatives seeking repatriation of their ancestors' remains

What action is being taken

  • A joint hearing at the Capitol Annex Building in Sacramento is scheduled for August 26 at 9 a.m.
  • Assemblymember James C. Ramos is leading the hearing alongside Assemblymember John Harabedian
  • UC officials (Katherine Newman, Rich Lyons, and campus repatriation coordinators) will face lawmakers to address repatriation failures
  • Tribal leaders are scheduled to testify about the impact of UC's non-compliance

Why it matters

  • UC's failure violates both federal and state laws designed to return Native American remains and artifacts to their tribal communities
  • Three audits since 2019 have documented UC's ongoing non-compliance with repatriation requirements
  • UC campuses have mismanaged funds intended to help tribes recover ancestral remains
  • The university still holds remains of thousands of individuals and hundreds of thousands of cultural items
  • Some items in UC possession have been stolen or mishandled
  • Auditors suggested lawmakers might need to place conditions on UC's state funding to force compliance

What's next

  • Legislators plan to press the university for clear timelines for repatriation
  • Lawmakers may consider stricter oversight if progress is not made
  • The August 26 hearing will test whether UC leadership will set clear timelines or risk stricter legislative action

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint