To establish a waiting period and public comment process before naming any building, facility, or ship that receives government assistance after an individual.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Fair Naming Practices Act of 2024.”
SECTION 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to ensure transparency, accountability, and community input before naming publicly funded buildings, facilities, or ships after individuals.
SECTION 3. PROHIBITION ON NAMING PUBLICLY FUNDED ASSETS AFTER INDIVIDUALS.
(a) General Prohibition.
No building, facility, or ship that receives assistance of any kind from city, county, state, or federal government funding shall be named after any individual until the conditions outlined in this Act have been satisfied.
(b) Waiting Period.
An individual must have been deceased for at least 25 years before a publicly funded building, facility, or ship may be named after them.
SECTION 4. PUBLIC COMMENT REQUIREMENT.
(a) Public Comment Period.
Prior to naming any building, facility, or ship that receives government assistance after an individual, there shall be a 1-year public comment period to allow for public input, community concerns, and transparency in the naming process.
(b) Notification of Public Comment Period.
The government agency or authority overseeing the naming process shall:
- Publish an official notice of the public comment period in local, regional, or national media, as applicable.
- Provide a platform for public comments to be submitted in writing or electronically.
- Hold at least one public hearing where community members can express their views.
SECTION 5. EXEMPTIONS AND WAIVERS.
(a) Exceptions.
This Act shall not apply to buildings, facilities, or ships that are named in honor of historical events or collective groups (such as veterans or first responders), or in cases where the individual has made an extraordinary contribution of national significance, as determined by a two-thirds vote of Congress.
(b) Waiver Authority.
In extraordinary circumstances, the waiting period stipulated in Section 3(b) may be waived by a two-thirds majority vote of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Waiver decisions shall be made available to the public with justifications.
SECTION 6. ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Penalties for Non-Compliance.
Any naming in violation of this Act shall be null and void, and the government entity responsible for the building, facility, or ship in question shall not be eligible for federal funding for the duration of non-compliance.
(b) Legal Standing.
Members of the public may file a lawsuit to enforce compliance with this Act in any district court of the United States.
SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect 180 days after its enactment.