Reconciliation in Place Names Act
Sponsored By: Representative Green, Al [D-TX-9]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a federal framework to identify and replace geographic names deemed offensive and to formally rename offensive place names across features and Federal land units. It sets up an independent advisory committee and a deadline-driven review process for the Board on Geographic Names to act on committee proposals.
Show full summary
- Tribes and affected communities gain a formal role because the Committee must solicit proposals from Indian Tribes and consult tribes before appointing members.
- Federal land managers and the Board face a time-limited review. The Committee can send renaming proposals to the Board and to Congress for Federal land units, and the Board must accept or reject Committee proposals within 3 years unless there is a compelling reason or federal law prevents acceptance.
- Public participation and a clear timetable are required. The Committee must solicit public comment, complete its work within a 5-year window, and will terminate one year after the Board finishes acting on its proposals.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster Board decisions on renaming
This bill would set a firm timeline for Board on Geographic Names decisions. The Board would have to accept or reject each committee proposal within 3 years. It would approve unless there is a compelling reason and strong public interest to reject, or approval would break federal law. If approved, the Board would rename the feature. A policy to wait for pending legislation would not block these proposals.
New committee to review offensive place names
If enacted, the Interior Secretary would create a 17-member advisory committee within 180 days. The Secretary would consult with Tribes before some appointments. The committee would seek input from Indian Tribes, states, agencies, and the public, and allow public comments. It would review names with racial or sexual slurs, stereotypes, or that honor people tied to racist harms on features and federal land units like parks, forests, refuges, and wilderness. Members would serve without pay but could get travel costs, and the Secretary would provide staff support. The committee would aim to finish in 5 years and end one year after the Board rules on its proposals.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Green, Al [D-TX-9]
TX • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
AZ • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
WA • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/17/2025
Lofgren
CA • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov