Notice of public comment period beginning March 6, 2026: The California Natural Resources Agency is announcing the release of a draft Petition Process for Renaming Offensive and Derogatory Geographic Features or Place Names for tribal consultation and public comment. Please submit all comments on the draft to cacgn@resources.ca.gov, no later than June 5, 2026.
For more information, CNRA will be hosting a public webinar on:
April 9, 2026
from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Register here
Offensive and Derogatory Names
On September 23, 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill No. 2022 (Ramos) into law. Commencing on January 1, 2025, this bill requires the term “squaw” to be removed from all geographic features and place names in the state. The bill requires the Natural Resources Agency to direct the California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names to revise its existing charter to perform specified responsibilities, including notifying public agencies, as defined, of geographic features and place names that are classified as offensive and derogatory.
