Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the states natural and cultural resources. Existing law establishes within the Natural Resources Agency the Sixth District Agricultural Association, known as Exposition Park.

This bill would authorize the agency to enter into a noncompetitive grant with a nonprofit organization, as defined, specified. The bill would authorize the nonprofit organization, in consultation with the agency, the Legislature, and the department, to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, Holocaust at Exposition Park, as specified. The bill would require Exposition Park to consult with the Legislature for any issues that may arise between the planning and design of the memorial and the operating policies and procedures at Exposition Park. The bill would require the agency, department, in consultation with the nonprofit organization, organization and the agency, to, among other things, review final construction documents to ensure that the documents comply with all applicable laws and to inspect all construction performed by the contractor selected by the nonprofit organization. the preliminary design plans to identify potential maintenance concerns. The bill would require the nonprofit organization, in consultation with Exposition Park and the Legislature, and with the approval of the agency, and the department, to prepare certain items, including an agreement for the long-term maintenance and security of the memorial. The bill would require its provisions to be implemented only upon appropriation by the Legislature. The bill would make findings related to the above provisions.

Existing law establishes the Natural Resources Agency, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the states natural and cultural resources.

This bill would authorize a nonprofit organization, as defined, in consultation with the agency, to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, as specified. The bill would require the agency, in consultation with the nonprofit organization, to, among other things, review final construction documents to ensure that the documents comply with all applicable laws and to inspect all construction performed by the contractor selected by the nonprofit organization. The bill would require its provisions to be implemented only upon appropriation by the Legislature.

Existing law provides for various memorials and monuments on the grounds of the State Capitol. Existing law requires the Department of General Services to maintain state buildings and grounds.

This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to subsequently amend this bill to include provisions that would authorize the construction of a Holocaust memorial on state property.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 644

Author: Gabriel (D) and Bauer-Kahan (D), et al.

Amended: 7/1/25 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 7-0, 6/24/25

AYES: Limón, Seyarto, Allen, Grove, Hurtado, Laird, Stern

SENATE GOVERNMENTAL ORG. COMMITTEE: 15-0, 7/8/25

AYES: Padilla, Valladares, Archuleta, Ashby, Blakespear, Cervantes, Dahle, Hurtado, Jones, Ochoa Bogh, Richardson, Rubio, Smallwood-Cuevas, Wahab, Weber Pierson

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/29/25

AYES: Caballero, Seyarto, Cabaldon, Dahle, Grayson, Richardson, Wahab

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/2/25 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Exposition Park: Holocaust memorial

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, authorizes a nonprofit organization that represents victims and survivors of the Holocaust, in consultation with the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), the Legislature, and the Department of General Services (DGS), to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust at Exposition Park.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Prescribes various duties for DGS in connection with development and maintenance for the park around the State Capitol Building and state properties through the State of California.
2. Establishes CNRA, composed of departments, boards, conservancies, and commissions responsible for the restoration, protection, and management of the state’s natural and cultural resources.
3. Establishes, within CNRA, the Sixth District Agricultural Association, known as Exposition Park.

This bill, upon appropriation:

1. Authorizes a nonprofit organization that represents victims and survivors of the Holocaust, in consultation with CNRA, the Legislature, and DGS to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust at Exposition Park, defined as the Sixth District Agricultural Association and also known as the Office of Exposition Park Management.
   
2. Requires the memorial to be consistent with the operating policies and procedures of the Office of Exposition Park Management and requires the office to consult with the Legislature for any issues that may arise between the planning and design of the memorial and the operating policies and procedures of Exposition Park.
   
3. Requires DGS, in consultation with the nonprofit organization and CNRA, to do all of the following:
   
   1. Review the preliminary design plans to identify potential maintenance concerns.
   2. Review and approve any documents prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
   3. Review final construction documents to ensure that the documents comply with all applicable laws.
   4. Inspect all construction performed by the contractor selected by the nonprofit organization pursuant to these provisions.
4. Requires the nonprofit organization, in consultation with the Office of Exposition Park Management and the Legislature, and with approval of CNRA and DGS, to:
   1. Prepare the right-of-entry permit outlining the final area of work, final construction documents, construction plans, the contractor hired to perform the work, insurance, bonding, provisions for damage to state property, and inspection requirements.
   2. Prepare an agreement for the long-term maintenance and security of the memorial.

Background

Holocaust Memorials in California. California is home to numerous Holocaust memorials that honor the memory of victims and educate the public about the atrocities of the Holocaust. In San Francisco, one of the most striking memorials is the Holocaust Memorial at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, an outdoor sculpture by George Segal depicting a scene reminiscent of Buchenwald's liberation. Nearby, the Holocaust Center of Northern California provides education and survivor testimony, while the Pink Triangle Park in the Castro District is the first permanent U.S. memorial dedicated to LGBTQ+ victims of the Nazis. Other sites in the Bay Area include smaller memorials at Eternal Home Cemetery and Salem Memorial Park in Colma, and the Never Again Holocaust Memorial in Los Gatos. In Oakland, synagogues such as Beth Jacob Congregation and Temple Sinai also feature memorials and commemorative sculptures.

In Los Angeles, major institutions such as the Museum of Tolerance and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust serve as central hubs for education, remembrance, and community dialogue. Additional memorials in the city include sculptures at Cedars-Sinai Hospital and the Sondra Smalley Family Sculpture Garden, as well as the USC Shoah Foundation, which holds one of the world’s largest collections of survivor video testimonies.

Southern California is also home to several poignant memorials. In Palm Desert, the Desert Holocaust Memorial features life-sized bronze figures in a public park setting. San Diego hosts a memorial sculpture garden at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) in La Jolla, and similar installations can be found at other local Jewish community centers. In Irvine, the Nancy and Irving Chase Family Holocaust Memorial Garden provides a quiet space for reflection at the Merage JCC.

Elsewhere in the state, memorials can be found at the Home of Peace Cemetery in Sacramento, Temple Sholom in Ontario, and the Holocaust and Genocide Memorial Grove at Sonoma State University.

Exposition Park. Exposition Park, legally known as the Sixth District Agricultural Association (SDAA), is a California state entity under CNRA. Located in South Los Angeles, the park spans approximately 160 acres and serves as a major cultural, educational, and recreational hub. It is home to prominent institutions such as the California Science Center, which includes the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California African American Museum, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BMO Stadium, and a historic rose garden.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, there will be “One-time General Fund cost pressures of $5.5 million for the Legislature to appropriate funding to facilitate CNRA’s design and construction of a Holocaust memorial and $3.2 million annual ongoing cost pressures to support maintenance, security, and mitigation.”

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/29/25)

Hadassah
Holocaust Museum LA
JCC/Federation of San Luis Obispo
JCRC Bay Area
Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles
Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund
Jewish Community Relations Council, Sacramento
Jewish Community Relations Council, Santa Barbara
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Long Beach and Orange County
Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties
Jewish Family Service LA
Jewish Family Service of the Desert
Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley
Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara
Jewish Federation of Orange County
Jewish Federation of San Diego
Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys
Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region
Jewish Long Beach
Jewish Public Affairs Committee
National Council of Jewish Women-SF
Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museums of Tolerance

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/29/25)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “[w]e are now living in a world where the last generation of Holocaust survivors are quickly passing away, and a generation of young Americans are deeply unfamiliar with the lessons of the genocide against our people. In this moment, California must stand up for our community and our values as a state. The Holocaust is both millions of individual traumas, and also a lasting collective trauma for the Jewish people; we must unequivocally express our collective responsibility as a state to never forget, and commit to the promise: ‘never again.’”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 79-0, 6/2/25

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Ahrens, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Ávila Farías, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Caloza, Carrillo, Castillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, DeMaio, Dixon, Elhawary, Ellis, Flora, Fong, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Jeff Gonzalez, Mark González, Hadwick, Haney, Harabedian, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Krell, Lackey, Lee, Lowenthal, Macedo, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Patel, Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Ransom, Celeste Rodriguez, Michelle Rodriguez, Rogers, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stefani, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zbur, Rivas

Prepared by: Genevieve Wong / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

8/29/25 20:47:07

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular Session

AB 644 (Gabriel) - Exposition Park: Holocaust memorial

Bill Summary:

This bill would authorize, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, a nonprofit organization that represents victims and survivors of the Holocaust, in consultation with the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and the Department of General Services (DGS), to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust at Exposition Park, as specified.

Fiscal Impact:

• One-time General Fund cost pressures of $5.5 million for the Legislature to appropriate funding to facilitate CNRA’s design and construction of a Holocaust memorial and $3.2 million annual ongoing cost pressures to support maintenance, security, and mitigation.

Background:

Of approximately 12,000 Californians who are survivors of the systematic extermination of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II, commonly known as the Holocaust, approximately 10,000 live in Southern California. The Desert Holocaust Memorial is the closest memorial to Los Angeles and the only public monument in the region. A number of monuments exist to honor other communities throughout Los Angeles, such as the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial in Montebello, dedicated after the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide; the Bracero Monument, commissioned by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Department and dedicated in 2019; and the Los Angeles Holodomor-Genocide Monument at Grand Park dedicated after the 50th anniversary of the genocide in Ukraine, commissioned by the Ukraine American Community of LA. However, there is no official California State Holocaust Memorial.

Nonprofit organizations in California often collaborate with the CNRA to establish memorials that reflect cultural heritage, historical events, and environmental values. Grants or land-use agreements typically facilitate such partnerships and they must follow specific state regulations to ensure responsible stewardship of public resources. A prominent example is the development of the Joshua Tree Cultural Center in Twentynine Palms, built with $2 million in state funds. The center serves as both a memorial and educational hub for the Chemehuevi and Serrano (San Manuel) Bands of Mission Indians, preserving and presenting artifacts and tribal history.

Proposed Law:

This bill:

1. Authorizes, upon appropriation by the Legislature, a nonprofit organization that represents victims and survivors of the Holocaust, in consultation with CNRA and DGS, to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust at Exposition Park, as specified.
2. Defines “Exposition Park” to mean the Sixth District Agricultural Association, and shall also be known as the Office of Exposition Park Management.
3. Authorizes CNRA, consistent with funding and the authority provided in the annual budget, to enter into a non-competitive grant with a nonprofit organization, subject to the provisions of this bill.
4. Requires the memorial to be consistent with the operating policies and procedures of the Office of Exposition Park Management, including the location of the memorial.
5. Requires DGS, in consultation with the nonprofit organization and CNRA, to do all of the following:
   1. Review the preliminary design plans to identify potential maintenance concerns.
   2. Review and approve any documents prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
   3. Review final construction documents to ensure that the documents comply with applicable laws.
   4. Inspect all construction performed by the contractors selected by the nonprofit organization.
6. Requires the nonprofit organization, in consultation with the Office of Exposition Park Management and with the approval of CNRA and DGS, to do all of the following:
   1. Prepare the right-of-entry permit outlining the final area of work, final construction documents, construction plans, the contractor hired to perform the work, insurance, bonding, provisions for damage to state property, and inspection requirements.
   2. Prepare an agreement for the long-term maintenance and security of the memorial.

Related Legislation:

SB 472 (Stern, 2025) requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish the Holocaust and Genocide Education Grant Program to provide direct allocations to local education agencies for the purposes of providing Holocaust and genocide education and professional training.

SB 537 (Becker, Chapter 859, Statutes of 2024) authorizes a nonprofit that represents Mexican Americans or Mexican immigrants to enter into negotiations with DGS to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants who were forcibly deported from the United States during the Great Depression, as specified.

SB 1277 (Stern, Chapter 890, Statutes of 2023) establishes the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education, to establish a statewide professional development program on genocide for school district, county office of education, and charter school teachers.

SB 1407 (Nguyen, Chapter 256, Statutes of 2024) authorizes a nonprofit organization representing victims of survivors of communism, in consultation with DGS, to construct and maintain a monument to the victims and survivors of communism on the grounds of the State Capitol, as specified.

AB 1350 (Soria, Chapter 684, Statutes of 2023) created the Capitol Park Veterans Memorial Fund, to be administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, for the purpose of the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing veterans memorials in the State Capitol.

AB 298 (Mathis, Chapter 299, Statutes of 2023) authorized a nonprofit organization that represents blind veterans to plan, construct, and maintain a Braille American flag to serve as a monument to the blind veterans of California and the United States in the California State Capitol Building, as specified.

AB 1452 (Mathis, Chapter 371, Statutes of 2023) authorized the construction and maintenance of a monument to the veterans of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait on the grounds of the State Capitol, as specified.

AB 1459 (Ramos, Chapter 690, Statutes of 2023) required that any construction, restoration, rehabilitation, renovation, or reconstruction of the State Capitol Building Annex incorporate a mural honoring Native Americans in California in one of the main hearing rooms.

AB 1762 (Mathis, Chapter 205, Statutes of 2022) authorized the construction and maintenance of a monument to the Gold Star Families of California on the grounds of the State Capitol, as specified.

AB 2704 (Gipson, Chapter, Statutes of 2016) authorized the construction and maintenance of a bust in the State Capitol Building Annex to honor Mervyn M. Dymally.

AB 2790 (Nazarian, Chapter 700, Statutes of 2016) authorizes the construction of a memorial to California’s genocide survivors in the Capitol Historic Region. The actual construction of the memorial may not proceed without the prior approve of DGS and the Capitol Park Master Plan Group.

AB 2358 (Hagman, Chapter 682, Statutes of 2012) authorized the construction of a memorial in the State Capitol Building Annex to honor former Governor and United State President, Ronald Reagan.

AB 2767 (W. Brown, Chapter 1757, Statutes of 1984) created the Historic State Capitol Commission to review and hold limited management over specified aspects of the State Capitol, as specified.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER

Senator Monique Limón, Chair

2025 - 2026 Regular

Bill No: AB 644 Hearing Date: June 24, 2025

Subject: Holocaust memorial

SUMMARY

This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would authorize a nonprofit organization that represents victims and survivors of the Holocaust, in consultation with the California Natural Resources Agency, to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW

Holocaust survivors, memorials, and awareness in California. Statewide, there appear to be a handful of Holocaust memorials and museums in California: the Holocaust Memorial in San Francisco, the Holocaust Museum LA, the Desert Holocaust Memorial in Palm Desert, and the Holocaust & Genocide Memorial Grove in Rohnert Park (Sonoma County).

According to information provided by the author’s office, approximately 10,000 Holocaust survivors live in Southern California, out of approximately 12,000 survivors statewide. The Desert Holocaust Memorial in Palm Desert is the closest memorial to Los Angeles and the only public monument in the region. A number of monuments have been established to honor other communities throughout Los Angeles, such as the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial in Montebello, which was dedicated after the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide; the Bracero Monument, commissioned by the City of LA Cultural Department and dedicated in 2019; and the Los Angeles Holodomor-Genocide Monument dedicated after the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide in Ukraine, at Grand Park, commissioned by the Ukraine American Community of LA. To date, there is no official California State Holocaust Memorial.

Memorials. Nonprofit organizations in California often collaborate with the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to establish memorials that reflect cultural heritage, historical events, and environmental values. These partnerships are usually facilitated through grants or land-use agreements and must follow specific state regulations to ensure responsible stewardship of public resources. A prominent example is the development of the Joshua Tree Cultural Center in Twentynine Palms, built with $2 million in state funds. The center serves as both a memorial and educational hub for the Chemehuevi and Serrano (San Manuel) Bands of Mission Indians, preserving and presenting artifacts and tribal history.

Existing law authorizes state agencies to partner with nonprofit organizations for historical resource preservation projects. (Public Resources Code §§5079.40-5079.44)

PROPOSED LAW

This bill, upon appropriation, would:

1. Authorize a nonprofit organization that represents victims and survivors of the Holocaust, in consultation with CNRA, to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
   
2. Require CNRA, in consultation with the nonprofit organization, to do all of the following:
   
   1. Review the preliminary design plans to identify potential maintenance concerns.
   2. Ensure compliance with the federal American with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other safety concerns.
   3. Review and approve any documents prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.
   4. Review final construction documents to ensure that the documents comply with all applicable laws.
   5. Prepare the right-of-entry permit outlining the final area of work, final construction documents, construction plans, the contractor hired to perform the work, insurance, bonding, provisions for damage to state property, and inspection requirements.
   6. Inspect all construction performed by the contractor selected by the nonprofit organization pursuant to these provisions.
   7. Regularly maintain the memorial in accordance with CNRA’s general maintenance responsibilities.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT

According to the author, “[w]e are now living in a world where the last generation of Holocaust survivors are quickly passing away, and a generation of young Americans are deeply unfamiliar with the lessons of the genocide against our people. In this moment, California must stand up for our community and our values as a state. The Holocaust is both millions of individual traumas, and also a lasting collective trauma for the Jewish people; we must unequivocally express our collective responsibility as a state to never forget, and commit to the promise: ‘never again.’”

According to the Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, “AB 644 will serve to establish a strong symbol of our commitment to upholding the values of justice, and of our collective empathy. In the face of Holocaust denial and distortion, the California State Holocaust Memorial will be an essential, permanent reminder of truth, and aligns California with our responsibility to never forget.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION

None received

COMMENTS

This bill is double referred. This bill is double referred with the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, with this committee being the committee of first referral. Elements of this bill under the jurisdiction of the Senate Governmental Organization Committee are included here for context and completeness only and will be discussed before that Committee.

Need for bill. According to the author, Holocaust awareness is at a historic low and younger generations across the nation and globally lack a basic knowledge about the Holocaust. This lack of awareness is expected to grow, as Holocaust survivors pass away and are not able to share the lessons and reality of the genocide. The author also highlights that with upcoming international events being hosted in California, it is critical to ensure that the international community sees California’s commitment to remembering the truth of our challenging history.

Recent, related legislation.

SB 472 (Stern) of the current legislative session would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction to establish the Holocaust and Genocide Education Grant Program to provide direct allocations to local education agencies for the purposes of providing Holocaust and genocide education and professional training. This bill is pending before the Assembly Education Committee.

SB 537 (Becker, Chapter 859, Statutes of 2024) authorizes a nonprofit organization that represents Mexican Americans or Mexican immigrants to enter into negotiations with the DGS to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants who were forcibly deported from the United States during the Great Depression.

SB 1277 (Stern, Chapter 890, Statutes of 2023) establishes the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education, to establish a statewide professional development program on genocide for school district, county office of education, and charter school teachers.

SB 1407 (Nguyen, Chapter 256, Statutes of 2023) authorizes the construction and maintenance a monument to the victims and survivors of communism on the grounds of the State Capitol.

AB 1452 (Mathis, Chapter 371, Statutes of 2023) authorizes a nonprofit organization representing veterans of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait, and in consultation with DGS, to plan, construct, and maintain a monument to those veterans of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait on the grounds of the State Capitol.

SB 693 (Stern, 2021) would have established a Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education to, among other things, establish best practices for, and promote implementation of, education on genocide, including the Holocaust. The bill was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on the suspense file.

AB 338 (Ramos, Chapter 280, Statutes of 2021) authorizes the construction and maintenance of a monument to the California Native people of the Sacramento region on the grounds of the State Capitol.

SUPPORT

Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties

Jewish Public Affairs Committee

OPPOSITION

None Received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 644

Author:(Gabriel and Bauer-Kahan)

As Amended Ver:May 23, 2025

Majority vote

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes a nonprofit organization representing victims and survivors of the Holocaust to consult with the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to plan, construct, and maintain a Holocaust memorial, upon appropriation by the Legislature.

Major Provisions

1. Requires the Natural Resources Agency to consult with a recognized nonprofit organization to do all of the following in the planning, construction, and maintenance of a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust:
2. Review the preliminary design plans to identify potential maintenance concerns.
3. Ensure compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.) and other safety concerns.
4. Review and approve any documents prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).
5. Review final construction documents to ensure that the documents comply with all applicable laws.
6. Prepare the right-of-entry permit outlining the final area of work, final construction documents, construction plans, the contractor hired to perform the work, insurance, bonding, provisions for damage to state property, and inspection requirements.
7. Inspect all construction performed by the contractor selected by the nonprofit organization pursuant to this section.
8. Regularly maintain the memorial in accordance with the agency's general maintenance responsibilities.

COMMENTS

Background. Approximately 10,000 Holocaust survivors live in Southern California, out of approximately 12,000 survivors statewide. The Desert Holocaust Memorial is the closest memorial to Los Angeles and the only public monument in the region. A number of monuments have been established to honor other communities throughout Los Angeles, such as the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial in Montebello, which was dedicated after the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide; the Bracero Monument, commissioned by the City of LA Cultural Department and dedicated in 2019; and the Los Angeles Holodomor-Genocide Monument dedicated after the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide in Ukraine, at Grand Park, commissioned by the Ukraine American Community of LA. To date, there is no official California State Holocaust Memorial.

This comes amid historic lows in Holocaust awareness and a lack of basic knowledge about the Holocaust among younger generations across the nation and globally. What's more, the lack of awareness is expected to grow, as fewer Holocaust survivors are alive with every year, to share the lessons and reality of this genocide. Particularly with upcoming international events being hosted in California, now is a critical moment to ensure the international community sees our state's commitment to remembering the truth of our challenging history and has committed to a permanent reminder of our collective responsibility.

Memorials. Nonprofit organizations in California often collaborate with the state's Natural Resources Agency to establish memorials that reflect cultural heritage, historical events, and environmental values. These partnerships are usually facilitated through grants or land-use agreements and must follow specific state regulations to ensure responsible stewardship of public resources. A prominent example is the development of the Joshua Tree Cultural Center in Twentynine Palms, built with $2 million in state funds. The center serves as both a memorial and educational hub for the Chemehuevi and Serrano (San Manuel) Bands of Mission Indians, preserving and presenting artifacts and tribal history.

According to the Author

"We are now living in a world where the last generation of Holocaust survivors are quickly passing away, and a generation of young American are deeply unfamiliar with the lessons of the genocide against our people. In this moment, Californians stand up for our community and our values as a state. The Holocaust is both millions of individual traumas, and also a lasting collective trauma for the Jewish people; we must unequivocally express our collective responsibility as a state to never forget, and commit to the promise: 'never again.'"

Arguments in Support

According to the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California in support, "This legislation comes at a time of dangerously low Holocaust awareness. A recent survey revealed that nearly 60% of millennials and Gen Z in California do not know that six million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, and almost half have seen Holocaust denial or distortion online. As the number of living survivors continues to decline, the urgency of preserving and honoring their stories grows. A permanent memorial on state grounds will help ensure their memories – and the lessons of the Holocaust – are not lost to history.

"Holocaust and genocide education is essential to combating modern-day antisemitism and bigotry. A recent report from the Governor's Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education found that only 26% of California schools have Holocaust and genocide education systems in place, despite a statewide mandate. AB 644 complements the state's educational efforts by creating a powerful public symbol of remembrance that will speak to Californians and visitors for generations to come."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee: One-time General Fund cost pressures of $5.5 million for the Legislature to appropriate funding to facilitate CNRA's design and construction of a Holocaust memorial and $3.2 million annual ongoing cost pressures to support maintenance, security, and mitigation.

VOTES

ASM ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, AND TOURISM: 8-0-1

YES: Ward, Lackey, Elhawary, McKinnor, Ortega, Quirk-Silva, Valencia, Zbur

ABS, ABST OR NV: Jeff Gonzalez

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-4

YES: Wicks, Arambula, Calderon, Caloza, Elhawary, Fong, Mark González, Hart, Pacheco, Pellerin, Solache

ABS, ABST OR NV: Sanchez, Dixon, Ta, Tangipa

UPDATED

VERSION: May 23, 2025

CONSULTANT: Brian V. Anderson, Jr. / A.,E.,S., & T. / (916) 319-3450 FN: 0000923

Date of Hearing: May 7, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 644

Author:(Gabriel) – As Amended Ver:March 28, 2025

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill authorizes a nonprofit organization representing victims and survivors of the Holocaust to consult with the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to plan, construct, and maintain a Holocaust memorial.

FISCAL EFFECT:

One-time General Fund cost pressures of $5.5 million for the Legislature to appropriate funding to facilitate CNRA’s design and construction of a Holocaust memorial and $3.2 million annual ongoing cost pressures to support maintenance, security, and mitigation.

COMMENTS:

1. Purpose. According to the author:

We are now living in a world where the last generation of Holocaust survivors are quickly passing away, and a generation of young American are deeply unfamiliar with the lessons of the genocide against our people. In this moment, Californians stand up for our community and our values as a state.

1. Background. Of approximately 12,000 Californians who are survivors of the systematic extermination of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II, commonly known as the Holocaust, approximately 10,000 live in Southern California. The Desert Holocaust Memorial is the closest memorial to Los Angeles and the only public monument in the region. A number of monuments exist to honor other communities throughout Los Angeles, such as the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial in Montebello, dedicated after the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide; the Bracero Monument, commissioned by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Department and dedicated in 2019; and the Los Angeles Holodomor-Genocide Monument at Grand Park dedicated after the 50th anniversary of the genocide in Ukraine, commissioned by the Ukraine American Community of LA. However, there is no official California State Holocaust Memorial.

Nonprofit organizations in California often collaborate with the CNRA to establish memorials that reflect cultural heritage, historical events, and environmental values. Grants or land-use agreements typically facilitate such partnerships and they must follow specific state regulations to ensure responsible stewardship of public resources. A prominent example is the development of the Joshua Tree Cultural Center in Twentynine Palms, built with $2 million in state funds. The center serves as both a memorial and educational hub for the Chemehuevi and Serrano (San Manuel) Bands of Mission Indians, preserving and presenting artifacts and tribal history.

Analysis Prepared by: Aaron Heredia / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 22, 2025

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, AND TOURISM

Christopher M. Ward, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 644 (

Author:Gabriel) – As Amended Ver:March 28, 2025

SUBJECT: Holocaust memorial

SUMMARY: This bill would authorize a nonprofit organization that represents victims and survivors of the Holocaust to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial in consultation with the Natural Resources Agency.

Specifically, this bill:

1. Requires the Natural Resources Agency to consult with a recognized nonprofit organization to do all of the following in the planning, construction, and maintenance of a memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust:
2. Review the preliminary design plans to identify potential maintenance concerns.
3. Ensure compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101 et seq.) and other safety concerns.
4. Review and approve any documents prepared pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) of the Public Resources Code).
5. Review final construction documents to ensure that the documents comply with all applicable laws.
6. Prepare the right-of-entry permit outlining the final area of work, final construction documents, construction plans, the contractor hired to perform the work, insurance, bonding, provisions for damage to state property, and inspection requirements.
7. Inspect all construction performed by the contractor selected by the nonprofit organization pursuant to this section.
8. Regularly maintain the memorial in accordance with the agency’s general maintenance responsibilities.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Authorizes state agencies to partner with nonprofit organizations for historical resource preservation projects. (Public Resources Code Section 5079.40-5079.44)
2. Establishes an International Genocide Memorial Commission, with the intent to design and construct a memorial to California’s genocide survivors in the Capital Park. The actual construction of the memorial may not proceed until the master plan of the State Capitol Park is approved and adopted. (Government Code Section (GOV) 6310-6313)
3. Prescribes various duties for Department of General Services (DGS) in connection with development and maintenance of the park around the State Capitol Building and state properties throughout the State of California. (GOV 14600-14706)

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This measure has been keyed fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.

COMMENTS:

1. Author’s statement. According to the author, “We are now living in a world where the last generation of Holocaust survivors are quickly passing away, and a generation of young American are deeply unfamiliar with the lessons of the genocide against our people. In this moment, Californians stand up for our community and our values as a state. The Holocaust is both millions of individual traumas, and also a lasting collective trauma for the Jewish people; we must unequivocally express our collective responsibility as a state to never forget, and commit to the promise: ‘never again.’”
2. Background. Approximately 10,000 Holocaust survivors live in Southern California, out of approximately 12,000 survivors statewide. The Desert Holocaust Memorial is the closest memorial to Los Angeles and the only public monument in the region. A number of monuments have been established to honor other communities throughout Los Angeles, such as the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial in Montebello, which was dedicated after the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide; the Bracero Monument, commissioned by the City of LA Cultural Department and dedicated in 2019; and the Los Angeles Holodomor-Genocide Monument dedicated after the fiftieth anniversary of the genocide in Ukraine, at Grand Park, commissioned by the Ukraine American Community of LA. To date, there is no official California State Holocaust Memorial.

This comes amid historic lows in Holocaust awareness and a lack of basic knowledge about the Holocaust among younger generations across the nation and globally. What’s more, the lack of awareness is expected to grow, as fewer Holocaust survivors are alive with every year, to share the lessons and reality of this genocide. Particularly with upcoming international events being hosted in California, now is a critical moment to ensure the international community sees our state’s commitment to remembering the truth of our challenging history and has committed to a permanent reminder of our collective responsibility.

1. Memorials. Nonprofit organizations in California often collaborate with the state’s Natural Resources Agency to establish memorials that reflect cultural heritage, historical events, and environmental values. These partnerships are usually facilitated through grants or land-use agreements and must follow specific state regulations to ensure responsible stewardship of public resources. A prominent example is the development of the Joshua Tree Cultural Center in Twentynine Palms, built with $2 million in state funds. The center serves as both a memorial and educational hub for the Chemehuevi and Serrano (San Manuel) Bands of Mission Indians, preserving and presenting artifacts and tribal history.
2. Prior and related legislation:
   1. SB 537 (Becker), Chapter 859, Statutes of 2024, authorizes a nonprofit organization that represents Mexican Americans or Mexican immigrants to enter into negotiations with the DGS to plan, construct, and maintain a memorial to Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants who were forcibly deported from the United States during the Great Depression.
   2. AB 338 (Ramos), Chapter 280, Statutes of 2021 authorizes the construction and maintenance of a monument to the California Native people of the Sacramento region on the grounds of the State Capitol.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

No support on file.

Opposition

No opposition on file.

Analysis Prepared by: Brian V. Anderson, Jr. / A.,E.,S., & T. / (916) 319-3450