S. 2894: Reconciliation in Place Names Act (119th Congress) Bill Summary

The Reconciliation in Place Names Act aims to address and revise offensive place names in the United States, which can include names that are derogatory or honor individuals associated with prejudice or discrimination. Here are the key points of the bill:

Purpose and Findings

The bill outlines that many geographic features in the U.S. are named using terms that are racially or sexually offensive. These names can perpetuate prejudice and honor individuals known for committing injustices against minority groups. The bill advocates that all place names should be equitable, just, and honor the country's cultural diversity.

Role of the Board on Geographic Names

The Board on Geographic Names is responsible for regulating the naming of geographic features. The bill states that the Board is authorized to change names deemed offensive or derogatory, while also prohibiting the use of such terms in official geographic names.

Establishment of an Advisory Committee

The bill proposes the creation of an Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names within 180 days of its enactment. This committee will:

Advise the Board and the Secretary of the Interior on renaming geographic features.
Be composed of 17 members, including representatives from Indian Tribes, cultural experts, advocates for civil rights, and the general public.
Solicit and review public proposals to rename features with offensive place names.
Offer a platform for public comments and suggestions regarding name changes.

Committee's Responsibilities

The committee is tasked with the following duties:

Establish a public process for proposing and reviewing name changes.
Submit name change proposals to the Board and the Secretary of the Interior for approval.
Make recommendations to improve the process of name changes.

Review Process by the Board

Once the Board receives proposals from the Advisory Committee, it must review and either accept or reject them within three years. The approval process will prioritize public interest, provided the proposals do not violate federal law.

Operational Details

The committee members will serve without pay but will be reimbursed for travel expenses. The committee is also subject to certain regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance with federal advisory standards.

Time Frame and Implementation

The committee is expected to complete its proposals within five years and will disband one year after the Board has acted on all proposals submitted by the committee.

Definitions

The bill defines several key terms such as "offensive place name," which refers to geographic names that recognize individuals with a history of racial prejudice or contain derogatory terms. It also outlines the meaning of "Indian Tribe" and "Tribal organization" as provided in existing federal law.