Federal Naming Standards Act

The Federal Naming Standards Act prohibits the government from naming or renaming federal buildings, facilities, or programs after elected officials or political appointees while they are in office and for ten years after they leave. This restriction also applies indefinitely to individuals who earn more than $1 million annually from commercial use of their name or likeness, though it does not affect deceased individuals or names already established before the law takes effect. To enforce these rules, agency inspectors general must investigate complaints about violations and report their findings to agency heads and Congress within 90 days. The law allows for the incidental use of names in historical or educational contexts, provided the name is not used as the official title of a federal site or program.