The state Commission to Examine Racial Inequity in the law issued its second report, one that outlined recommendations to ease impacts of discriminatory laws.
Some of the recommendations are already being implemented through the General Assembly, including measures that would restore voting rights, invest in education and expand expungments of prior convictions.
“Our commonwealth remains focused on acknowledging and righting the wrongs of our past,” said Gov. Ralph Northam. “This latest report makes clear that there is still work to do to shed the ugly remnants of Virginia’s history. The Commission is already having a significant impact on our shared legislative priorities and I look forward to continuing our partnership to build a more honest, equitable, and inclusive future for all.”
According to a release from the governor’s office, the commission played a key role in helping form Northam’s legislative agenda, including proposals that would legalize adult use of marijuana, abolish the death penalty and protect the ownership rights of “heirs property.”
Heir property refers to mostly rural land that is handed down informally to heirs, making it difficult to suss out after generations who the rightful owners are. Because of that, the legal owners may not have paid their share of taxes or even lived on the land. The USDA estimates that the system has accounted for the loss of huge amounts of Black-owned land.
The first report from the commission, published at the end of 2019, found around 100 instances of discriminatory language in Virginia law. That report prompted the repeal of 14 bills that contained racist language.
Last June, Northam extended the scope of the commission, asking it to identify laws and regulations that perpetuate disparities.
