Bill > S2894

This bill establishes a comprehensive process for reviewing and renaming offensive geographic place names in the United States. The legislation creates an Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names, composed of 17 diverse members including Native American representatives, civil rights experts, and scholars, who will solicit and review proposals to rename places with offensive names. The committee's definition of an offensive place name includes locations named after individuals who held racially repugnant views, committed atrocities against Native Americans, or perpetuated discriminatory policies, as well as names containing racial or sexual slurs. The Board on Geographic Names will be required to review these proposals within three years, and can only reject them if there is a compelling reason or if approving the name change would violate federal law. The bill aims to create a systematic, transparent process for addressing place names that perpetuate prejudice, disparage racial minorities, or honor individuals who committed injustices, with the broader goal of promoting equity, cultural diversity, and dignity for all people in the United States. The advisory committee is expected to complete its work within five years and will be dissolved one year after the Board has reviewed its proposals.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2894/all-info