119 HR 9902 IH: Federal Naming Standards Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-07-23 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 9902IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJuly 23, 2026Mr. Foster (for himself, Mr. Cisneros, Mr. Correa, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr. Frost, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. García of Illinois, Ms. Hoyle of Oregon, Mr. Liccardo, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. McGarvey, Ms. Moore of Wisconsin, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Norcross, Ms. Norton, Mr. Ruiz, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Veasey, and Ms. Wasserman Schultz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo prohibit the naming of any Federal building, facility, or program after any elected official or political appointee for a certain period or while using their name commercially, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Federal Naming Standards Act.

2.

Prohibition on renaming Federal buildings, facilities, or programs

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no Federal building, facility, or program may be named, renamed, designated, or redesignated in the name or likeness of any elected official or political appointee for the period described in subsection (b). (b)

Covered period

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the period described in this subsection shall be the period from the time the individual began holding office as an elected official or political appointee until the date that is 10 years after the date on which such individual last held office or appointment. (2)

Extension for certain individuals

With respect to any individual who generates more than $1,000,000 (adjusted annually for inflation to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor) annually from commercial purposes for the use of their name, image, or likeness, the period described in this subsection shall be extended until the date on which such individual no longer meets such threshold. (c)

Applicability

The prohibition under subsection (a) shall not apply to— (1)the name or likeness of an individual who is deceased; (2)any naming, renaming, designation, or redesignation before the date of enactment of this Act; and (3)any building, facility, or program named, renamed, designated, or redesignated for an individual who was not using their name or likeness for commercial purposes at the time of the naming, renaming, designation, or redesignation but subsequently has used their name or likeness for commercial purposes. (d)

Inspector general investigation

The inspector general of each Federal agency shall investigate complaints alleging violations of this Act within the respective agency of such inspector general and report the findings of any investigation, within 90 days of the beginning of any such investigation, to the head of the respective agency and Congress. (e)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the incidental use of an individual’s name and likeness in museum exhibits, archival collections, historical displays, educational materials, or documentary content produced or funded by the Federal Government or official reports, press releases, or other informational materials as long as such use does not constitute the formal name or principal branding of a Federal site or Federal program. (f)

Commercial purposes defined

In this section, the term commercial purposes means the use of an individual’s name or likeness in connection with the advertising, promotion, or sale of goods or services or licensing.