The formal apology for California's role in slavery is part of series of bills Gov. Gavin Newsom signed this year that advocates for reparations said didn't go far enough to atone for the state's legacy of racism.

Newsom also signed a handful of bills developed using recommendations from the state’s reparations task force.

"The State of California accepts responsibility for the role we played in promoting, facilitating, and permitting the institution of slavery," Newsom said.