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Senate passes bill to streamline place-name changes, adds formal role for Commission on Indian Affairs
Summary
Senate Bill 10 passed the Utah Senate 21–7 after floor discussion. Sponsors said the bill creates a standardized application process, directs the Commission on Indian Affairs to assist with community review and seeks local input for geographic-name changes; sponsor removed an offensive word during drafting and cited tribal committee endorsement.
Senators passed Senate Bill 10 on Day 23 of the 2021 session by a recorded vote of 21 yeas, 7 nays and 1 absent (SEG 617–619). Sponsor Senator Iwamoto described the bill as a process-oriented measure that streamlines steps for changing geographic place names, directs the Commission on Indian Affairs to assist, and ensures local community input — including a seat at the table for Native American communities with ties to the place in question (SEG 470–484, 500–516).
The sponsor told colleagues the measure is not aimed at school mascots or broader “cancel culture,” but seeks a consistent, locally grown process for handling name changes. He said the bill removes a widely recognized offensive term and was unanimously endorsed by the Native American Liaison Committee and the Senate Natural Resources Committee in committee stages (SEG 498–506).
Several senators spoke in support, including the co-chair of the Native American Liaison Committee, who said tribes in Utah endorsed the approach and recommended the Legislature adopt a consistent, community-driven process (SEG 526–534). After a brief floor discussion and summation, the Senate held a roll-call; SB10 will be transmitted to the House for consideration (SEG 617–619).
The sponsor indicated intentions to work with affected parties and tribes during implementation. The Senate record shows the bill passed and will proceed to the House for the next procedural step.
