The "Reconciliation in Place Names Act" aims to address the prevalence of offensive geographic place names throughout the United States. It mandates the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names within 180 days of enactment. This Committee will advise the Board on Geographic Names, the Secretary of the Interior, and Congress on renaming geographic features and Federal land units deemed offensive. The Committee will comprise 17 members, including representatives from Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, civil rights experts, and academics with expertise in cultural studies, geography, and history. Its primary duties include establishing a process to solicit and review proposals for renaming offensive places from various stakeholders, including the public and Indian Tribes. The Committee will also provide opportunities for public comment on proposed name changes. Following its review, the Committee will submit proposals for renaming geographic features to the Board on Geographic Names and proposals for Federal land units to Congress. The bill requires the Board on Geographic Names to accept or reject the Committee's proposals within three years of receipt. The Board must approve a proposal unless it determines there is a compelling reason, substantial public interest in rejection, or if approval would violate Federal law. If a proposal is accepted, the Board is mandated to rename the geographic feature, and existing Board policies that might otherwise prevent a name change due to pending legislation will not apply.
The "Reconciliation in Place Names Act" aims to address the prevalence of offensive geographic place names throughout the United States. It mandates the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names within 180 days of enactment. This Committee will advise the Board on Geographic Names, the Secretary of the Interior, and Congress on renaming geographic features and Federal land units deemed offensive. The Committee will comprise 17 members, including representatives from Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, civil rights experts, and academics with expertise in cultural studies, geography, and history. Its primary duties include establishing a process to solicit and review proposals for renaming offensive places from various stakeholders, including the public and Indian Tribes. The Committee will also provide opportunities for public comment on proposed name changes. Following its review, the Committee will submit proposals for renaming geographic features to the Board on Geographic Names and proposals for Federal land units to Congress. The bill requires the Board on Geographic Names to accept or reject the Committee's proposals within three years of receipt. The Board must approve a proposal unless it determines there is a compelling reason, substantial public interest in rejection, or if approval would violate Federal law. If a proposal is accepted, the Board is mandated to rename the geographic feature, and existing Board policies that might otherwise prevent a name change due to pending legislation will not apply.