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House approves bill directing review and renaming of offensive geographic names
Summary
Lawmakers approved House Bill 3532 to have the Oregon Geographic Names Board and Oregon Historical Society compile a list of geographic features with names deemed offensive and recommend replacements, with tribal consultation and a required report to the Legislature.
The Oregon House of Representatives passed House Bill 3532 to have the Oregon Geographic Names Board and the Oregon Historical Society compile a list of geographic features bearing names the bill describes as offensive and to recommend replacement names in consultation with Oregon's nine federally recognized tribes and other local stakeholders.
Representative Sanchez, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure is follow‑up work to earlier efforts to remove derogatory place names and stressed that it does not erase history but seeks to “tell it honestly and with respect.” She cited a photo taken April 30 showing that offensive names remain in place and urged that “no one in our community should feel disrespected and offended or hurt by any place that they wander throughout our beautiful state.”
Under the bill, the executive secretary of the Oregon Geographic Names Board would compile geographic features (mountains, buttes, creeks, etc.) that bear offensive names, consult with the tribes and local officials, and submit recommended replacement names to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names within three years of the act’s effective date. The bill also requires the executive secretary to report progress to legislative interim committees by Feb. 1, 2026, and sets a repeal date for the act’s Section 1 on Jan. 2, 2029.
Supporters noted the bill incorporates suggestions from the Oregon Historical Society and directs consultation with impacted tribal nations and local governments. Representative Haifam urged colleagues to respect the voices of tribal nations and communities harmed by derogatory names; Representative Hartman described the change as restoring dignity and promoting healing.
An amendment removed highway naming matters because the U.S. Board on Geographic Names has authority over interstate highway names, the sponsor said. The clerk declared House Bill 35 32 passed after a recorded vote; the bill includes immediate effective provisions to preserve public peace, health and safety as stated in the text.
