Purpose of the Bill

The bill aims to address and provide reparations for the historical and systemic impact of slavery and racism on African American descendants of chattel slavery in Minnesota. It establishes the Minnesota Migration Act, which includes setting up an account to fund reparations and initiatives, and forming an advisory council to guide these efforts.

Main Provisions

• Minnesota Migration Act Account: A special fund in the state treasury to finance reparation grants and other related administrative tasks.
• Findings: Historical context recognizing the role of slavery in enriching American institutions, and acknowledging ongoing racial disparities.
• Acknowledgment and Apology: The state will formally apologize for its role in slavery and historical racial injustices, with specific nods to incidents and practices like redlining and the destruction of Black communities.
• Advisory Council Establishment: A council to analyze the economic benefits derived from slavery and racism, develop criteria for reparations, and manage a timeline for implementation.
• Provision for Compensation: The council is tasked with determining the form and recipients of reparations, aiming to achieve economic justice for descendants of slaves.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Apologies and Acknowledgments: There is an explicit change in the state's legal stance by formally acknowledging past wrongs through slavery and systemic racism.
• Reparations Mechanism: Introduction of a state-level framework for calculating and distributing reparations, a pioneering move within state laws.

Relevant Terms

reparations, Minnesota Migration Act, systemic racism, chattel slavery, racial disparities, advisory council, housing covenants, redlining, economic justice, George Floyd, Dred Scott.