The bill's enactment would mean that all existing and future public facilities must adhere to this naming prohibition, which could reshape the landscape of public commemoration. As it stands, previous law only restricted naming after living persons, thus opening the door for contentious discussions surrounding the legacy of now-deceased individuals who may have been controversial figures. This shift in policy is anticipated to align public facilities more closely with neutral historical references.
Summary
House Bill 247 is a legislative proposal from Representative Edmonston that seeks to prohibit the naming of public facilities after any person. This includes various types of locations such as buildings, bridges, parks, roads, and schools that are owned by the state or any political subdivision, effectively extending prohibitions already in place against naming facilities after living individuals to all persons. The bill is aimed at standardizing naming practices across public properties to prevent favoritism or controversy associated with naming honorifics.
Sentiment
The sentiment regarding HB 247 is mixed among legislators and constituents. Supporters appreciate the bill as a step towards uniformity and away from potentially divisive namesakes. However, critics argue that this represents an overreach and diminishes the role of local governments and communities in honoring individuals significant to their histories. The discourse reflects a broader concern about how public memory is constructed and who gets to decide which figures are remembered.
Contention
A notable point of contention lies in the bill's potential implications for existing facility names and how those names might be handled in the future. While the bill allows existing names to remain untouched unless changed after July 1, 2022, it also leaves open the possibility of legal challenges regarding compliance, as citizens might seek to contest names they find objectionable. This could lead to a dynamic where local governments must constantly navigate public sentiment and legal frameworks surrounding naming policies.
Provides with respect to sales of certain services and tangible personal property at certain publicly owned facilities (Item #35) (EN SEE FISC NOTE GF RV)
Authorizes each public postsecondary education management board to name a building at an institution under its supervision and management in honor of a living person