Newsom Signs Law Forcing Large Firms To Disclose Slavery-Era Ties
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2599 on Oct. 1, creating a first-in-the-nation requirement that major companies disclose any ties to slavery in a state-run public database.[1]
Newsom made the signing on camera alongside civil-rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson.[1] The law targets firms with more than $100 million in worldwide gross receipts that existed, or whose predecessors existed, on or before Dec. 31, 1964.[1]
Assembly Bill 2599 requires companies to search records back to 1849 and to submit affidavits under penalty of perjury disclosing slavery-related transactions for the public database. Initial filings are due Jan. 15, 2029 for companies operating in California as of Jan. 1, 2028.
State leaders cast the mandate as part of California's wider reparations and historical-accountability agenda, though Newsom has not endorsed broad direct cash payments.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Assembly Bill 2599 was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in early October 2026 after an Oct. 1 on-camera signing with attorney Bryan Stevenson.
- The law covers companies with more than $100 million in worldwide gross receipts that existed, or whose predecessors existed, on or before Dec. 31, 1964.
- Firms must search records back to 1849 and submit affidavits under penalty of perjury disclosing slavery-related transactions for a public state-run database, with initial filings due Jan. 15, 2029 for companies operating in California as of Jan. 1, 2028.
- The mandate is framed by state leaders as part of California’s wider reparations and historical accountability agenda, though Newsom has not endorsed broad direct cash payments.
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