H.R. 10055 – Congressional Authorization for Federal Building Names Act

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Updated August 12, 2026 at 6:17 AM UTC

The Congressional Authorization for Federal Building Names Act changes federal law so that any renaming of federal property—such as buildings, landmarks, or other real‑estate assets—must be done through an act of Congress. It defines what counts as federal property, makes it a crime for appointed officials to rename or mislabel property without that authority, and adjusts existing naming rules. The bill mainly affects federal agencies, their employees, and the naming of public buildings and sites.

Key Provisions

Adds a new rule that federal property can only be renamed or redesignated through a specific law passed by Congress.
Defines “federal property” to include any building, geographic feature, or real‑estate interest administered by a federal agency whose name was set by statute.
Creates a criminal offense for politically appointed federal officers or employees who willfully put an incorrect name on federal property or rename it without congressional authorization, with penalties up to a $1,000 fine and 10 years in prison (or lesser penalties if damage is under $1,000) and a 10‑year statute of limitations.
Amends the existing naming provision in title 40 so that a building may be named only if it was previously named by statute.
Updates the tables of sections in titles 5 and 18 to list the new sections (307 and 1370).

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

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.

Judiciary Committee

August 6, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

August 6, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

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.

Judiciary Committee

August 6, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued August 6, 2026

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.

.