Sacramento , CA – April 26, 2006 – Today in the Committee on Local Government, AB 2641, legislation introduced by Assemblymember Joe Coto, to protect sacred burial sites, passed with a unanimous 7-0 vote. The chair of the committee, Assemblymember Simon Salinas recommended strong support for the bill and the other six members followed suit. AB 2641 is designed to provide additional protection to Native American sacred sites. While federal law exists that protects Native American sacred burial sites in specific circumstances, AB 2641 will strengthen those protections in the state of California and ensure the preservation of sacred burial grounds while enabling the state to achieve its development goals.

The bill will protect Native American burial sites and preserve the dignity of Native Americans by establishing a process for meaningful consultations involving all interested and affected parties. The bill has over 20 supporters including the sponsor, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, over 12 tribes, and individuals and organizations that include American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Supervisor Michael Antonovich of the county of Los Angeles and the California Catholic Conference, just to name a few. AB 2641 will move to the Committee on Appropriations and it should be set for a hearing within the next few weeks. This bill is critical for California Indians, and all Californians for that matter, to ensure an equitable place in determining the fate of their ancestors and their sacred burial sites.