New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), signed legislation creating a reparations committee, intended to “right wrongs” from slavery and racial prejudice.

According to Hochul’s office, the commission will be in charge of investigating the long-lasting consequences of slavery. This includes “subsequent racism against people of African descent and the impact of these forces on the present.”

The commission will be composed of nine members. ABC News reports that ABC News will appoint three members by the state Senate President, three by the Speaker of the State Assembly and three by the Governor.

In the legislation that established the commission, it is stated that the members of the commission will be examining the historical and lasting consequences of slavery both in the state and New York City. The commission would examine the capture and transport of Africans into the region, as well as the trade and acquisition of slaves. It would also look at the benefits gained by New York through these transactions, treatment of slaves and other matters related to slavery, according to the outlet.

“Today, New York made a bold move to correct the wrongs from the past. It was joined by leaders of the movement for racial injustice. We will work together to confront New York’s legacy, which includes slavery and discrimination. Hochul on X.

“Nearly four hundred years after the first Africans enslaved in New York arrived, the legacy from this injustice is still holding us back.” Hochul said that he had just signed a bill creating a Community Commission on Reparations to study the legacy of slavery and provide recommendations on how we can move forward.

The law specifies that, one year after the first meeting of the commission, which is required to take place by mid-June each year, the panel must submit a report in writing, including its conclusions and suggestions, to the state authorities.

In a press conference held on Tuesday to announce the creation of the commission, Gov. Hochul cited New York Historical Society data that showed approximately 20 percent colonial New Yorkers during slavery were Africans.

It’s not discussed much. Hochul stated that this was a serious problem. “Here in New York there was a slavery market where people were buying and selling other humans with callous disregard. This happened on Wall Street over a period of more than 100 years. Even though slavery in New York was abolished officially in 1827 our state remained the dominant player in illegal slave trade.

“What is hard to accept is that our state prospered because of slavery. Hochul said that it’s not an attractive story, but the truth is what it is. “Today I challenge New Yorkers to be Patriots and rebuke, not excuse our part in the institution of slavery.”

Hochul said that if the committee could present a viable way forward for helping descendants of New York slavery and addressing harms and disparities in education, healthcare and the environment that exists, it would lift us all up.

New York is now the third Democrat controlled state, after California and Illinois, to establish a reparations committee.

San Francisco, California; Evanston, Illinois; and Palm Springs, California have all established their own programs of reparations.