Every city and state program listed here represents a real, active effort to study, design, or deliver reparations to Black Americans. This page is updated regularly as programs advance, stall, or launch. Reparations.now is an independent platform — we track all programs regardless of political affiliation or eligibility framework.
California
California’s reparations effort is the largest state-level program in American history. In 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 3121, creating the first statewide reparations task force. The task force delivered its final report in June 2023 — a 1,100-page document recommending direct payments, a formal apology, and policy reforms across housing, education, healthcare, and criminal justice. In October 2025, Newsom signed SB 518, creating the Bureau for Descendants of American Slavery within the California Department of Justice. The Bureau is tasked with verifying lineage eligibility before any direct payments are approved. The state also allocated $6 million to CSU to develop the verification methodology. Direct payments have not been approved.
Status: Bureau established. Lineage verification underway. Direct payments not yet approved.
Evanston, Illinois
Evanston became the first city in the United States to launch a funded reparations program in 2021. The program uses cannabis tax revenue to provide $25,000 housing grants to Black residents who lived in Evanston between 1919 and 1969, or who are direct descendants of those residents. As of 2026, 256 individuals have received payments. The program is now under direct federal legal challenge: in March 2026, a federal judge denied the city’s motion to dismiss the Flinn v. City of Evanston lawsuit. In June 2026, the Trump Department of Justice moved to intervene in the case, arguing the program violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and the Fair Housing Act. This case is the most consequential legal test of local reparations programs in U.S. history.
Status: Active — under federal legal challenge. DOJ intervention motion pending ruling.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
In 2021, a Tulsa Race Massacre centennial commission recommended reparations for survivors and descendants of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, in which the Greenwood District — known as Black Wall Street — was destroyed by a white mob. In 2025, a $105 million reparations plan was proposed. As of 2026, legal and legislative battles continue over funding and eligibility. Only a small number of confirmed survivors and direct descendants remain living.
Status: Proposed $105 million plan under negotiation.
New York
New York State passed legislation in December 2023 creating a reparations commission to study the impact of slavery and systemic discrimination. The commission is tasked with developing reparations proposals for the state legislature. As of 2026, the commission is active but no final report has been publicly released or acted upon by the legislature. The commission’s timeline extends to 2029. Advocates have criticized the pace, noting that repeated delays protect financial and real estate interests over the people owed the debt.
Status: Commission active. No report released. Legislative action expected no earlier than 2029.
Michigan
On June 17, 2026, the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus introduced the Reparative Justice Package — House Bills 5550, 5551, and 5552 — the most comprehensive state reparations package introduced in the Midwest. HB 5550 creates an Office of Freedmen Affairs. HB 5551 establishes a Michigan Reparations Commission. HB 5552 mandates the state collect data on economic harms caused by slavery and Jim Crow-era policy. The bills are awaiting committee assignment.
Status: Introduced June 17, 2026. Awaiting committee assignment. No vote scheduled.
Maryland
Maryland’s reparations commission bill was vetoed by Governor Wes Moore in 2025 — a decision that drew sharp criticism from advocates who noted Moore is the state’s first Black governor. Prince George’s County Council Member Wanika Fisher and other advocates continue pushing for a legislative override or new legislation in 2026.
Status: Vetoed 2025. Override effort ongoing.
New Jersey
New Jersey introduced state reparations legislation in 2026. The bill would create a commission to study the legacy of slavery and recommend reparations proposals to the legislature.
Status: Recently introduced. In early legislative stages.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is in the process of appointing members to a reparations study commission, directed to explore approaches to redressing documented racial economic harm. No final report timeline has been announced. Watch for member appointments in summer 2026.
Status: Commission forming. No report timeline announced.
Asheville, North Carolina
In 2020, Asheville’s city council formally apologized for the city’s role in slavery and racial discrimination and committed to reparations. The program focuses on investments in homeownership, business opportunities, and career development for Black residents rather than direct payments. As of 2026, no dedicated budget or funded implementation plan has been formally adopted — advocates continue to push for binding action.
Status: Resolution passed. Investment-based model proposed. No funded implementation plan adopted.
St. Paul, Minnesota
St. Paul established a reparations fund in 2021 focused on closing the racial wealth gap through direct investment in Black-owned businesses and homeownership programs.
Status: Active.
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence launched a reparations study commission in 2020. The commission released recommendations in 2023 calling for direct payments, educational investments, and policy reforms. Implementation is ongoing.
Status: Study complete. Implementation in progress.
Federal — HR 40
At the federal level, HR 40 — the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act — remains the central legislative vehicle for national reparations. First introduced in 1989 by Rep. John Conyers, the bill has never passed into law. It was reintroduced in the 119th Congress in 2025. As of July 2026, the bill remains in the House Judiciary Committee with no scheduled vote under the current Republican majority. The Trump administration’s DOJ intervention in Evanston signals active federal opposition to reparations at every level of government.
Status: In committee. No vote scheduled. Federal administration actively hostile.
👉 Read our full HR 40 explainer here.
Use the interactive tracker below for a full breakdown of state, local, federal, and diaspora reparations activity — including the Black Wealth data dashboard.
This tracker is updated regularly. Last updated: July 1, 2026
This tracker is updated regularly. Last updated: July 2026