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.
December 13, 2024 AB 2022 Implementation
Webinar recording: Assembly Bill 2022 Implementation
Key topics covered by the December 13, 2024 Assembly Bill 2022 implementation webinar:
- Overview of Assembly Bill 2022
- Assembly Bill 2022 Implementation to Date
- Available Resources
- Next Steps
December 6, 2024 AB 2022 California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names Meeting
Meeting Recording: Assembly Bill 2022 CACGN Meeting
Agenda: Assembly Bill 2022 CACGN Meeting Agenda
Key topics covered by the December 13, 2024 Assembly Bill 2022 CACGN Meeting:
- Public Agency Name Proposals for AB 2022 Implementation
- General Public Comment
November 14, 2024 AB 2022 California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names Meeting
Meeting Recording: Assembly Bill 2022 CACGN Meeting
Agenda: Assembly Bill 2022 CACGN Meeting Agenda
Key topics covered by the December 13, 2024 Assembly Bill 2022 CACGN Meeting:
- Discussion on AB 2022 Implementation Process
- Public Agency Name Proposals for AB 2022 Implementation
- General Public Comment
February 16, 2024 AB 2022 Implementation
Webinar recording: SQ Replacement Names Best Practices
Key topics covered by the February 16, 2024 Assembly Bill 2022 Implementation webinar:
- Background and Timeline on Assembly Bill 2022
- AB 2022 Name Proposal Checklist
- Key Areas for Collaboration
- Tribal Consultation Procedures
- Replacement Procedures
- CACGN Review of Replacement Names
May 2023 AB 2022 Implementation
Webinar recording: Replacing “Sq_” Names from California Geographic Features and Places
Key topics covered by the May 2023 Assembly Bill 2022 Implementation Webinar:
- Background and Timeline on Assembly Bill 2022
- Key Areas for Collaboration
- Public Agencies Identification of “Sq_” named Geographic Features and Places
- Replacement Procedure
- CACGN Review of Replacement Names
- Tribal Consultation Procedures
