H.R. 10055

119 HR 10055 IH: Congressional Authorization for Federal Building Names Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-08-06
 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.
 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 10055  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   August 6, 2026   Mr. Lieu  (for himself and  Mrs. McClain Delaney ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on the Judiciary , and in addition to the Committees on  Transportation and Infrastructure , and  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 concerned   A BILL
To amend titles 5, 18, and 40, United States Code, to prohibit the renaming of Federal property except through a provision of law enacted by Congress, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Congressional Authorization for Federal Building Names Act  .
2.
Prohibition on renaming of Federal property
(a)
Renaming Federal property
 Chapter 3  of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
307.
Renaming of Federal property
(a)
In general
Federal property may not be renamed or redesignated except through a provision of law enacted by Congress that expressly renames or redesignates such property.
(b)
Federal property defined
In this section, the term  Federal property  means any feature (including a geographic or administrative feature), building (including a public building as defined in section 3301 of title 40), or other real property or interest in real property—
(1)
administered by a Federal agency; and
(2)
the name of which is designated or otherwise assigned by Federal statute.
 .
(b)
Malicious mischief
(1)
In general
 Chapter 65  of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
1370.
Displaying incorrect name on Federal property
(a)
In general
Any covered officer or employee who willfully displays an incorrect name of a unit of Federal property on such property or renames a unit of Federal property without prior statutory authorization shall be subject to the following:
(1)
If the damage or attempted damage to such property exceeds the sum of $1,000, a fine under this title or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both.
(2)
If the damage or attempted damage to such property does not exceed the sum of $1,000, a fine under this title or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both.
(b)
Statute of limitations
An action under subsection (a) shall be commenced not later than 10 years after the date on which the violation occurs.
(c)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Covered officer or employee
The term  covered officer or employee  means an officer or employee of the Federal Government that is politically appointed, including an officer or employee appointed to or acting in a position that requires Senate confirmation.
(2)
Federal property
The term  Federal property  has the meaning given the term in section 307 of title 5.
 .
(2)
Effective date
The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall take effect on January 1, 2027.
(c)
Naming or designating buildings
Section 3102 of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking  regardless of whether it was previously named by statute  and inserting  unless such building was previously named by statute .
(d)
Clerical amendments
(1)
The table of sections for chapter 3 of part I of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
307. Renaming of Federal property.
  .
(2)
The table of sections for chapter 65 of part I of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
1370. Displaying incorrect name on Federal property.
  .