HOUSE BILL NO. 412
INTRODUCED BY C. JUNEAU, G. BECK, R. BUZZAS, B. EGGERS, K. GILLAN, M. GUGGENHEIM, H. HARPER, J. HURDLE, S. KITZENBERG, B. KRENZLER, M. MCCANN, J. MERCER, G. ROUSH, F. SMITH, C. WILLIAMS, J. STOVALL
AN ACT REQUIRING STATE LANDHOLDING AND LANDMANAGING AGENCIES TO IDENTIFY ALL GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES AND PLACES UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION USING THE WORD "SQUAW"; REQUIRING THE AGENCIES TO REMOVE THE WORD "SQUAW" FROM ANY MAPS, SIGNS, OR MARKERS WHENEVER AGENCIES UPDATE MAPS OR REPLACE SIGNS AND MARKERS BECAUSE OF WEAR OR VANDALISM; AND PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENT OF AN ADVISORY GROUP TO DEVELOP REPLACEMENT NAMES AND NOTIFY APPROPRIATE AGENCIES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Naming of sites and geographic features -- replacement of word "squaw" -- advisory group. (1) The coordinator of Indian affairs shall appoint an advisory group that will serve on a volunteer basis to consult with local agencies, organizations, and individuals in developing names to replace present site or geographic names that contain the word "squaw".
(2) Each agency of state government that owns or manages public land in the state shall identify any features or places under its jurisdiction that contain the word "squaw" and inform the advisory group of the agency's identification of features or places containing that word. The agency shall ensure that whenever the agency updates a map or replaces a sign, interpretive marker, or any other marker because of wear or vandalism, the word "squaw" is removed and replaced with the name chosen by the advisory group.
(3) The advisory group shall:
(a) notify the U.S. forest service, the Montana departments of commerce and natural resources and conservation, and any other entity that compiles information for and develops maps for the state or for public use of the name change so that it may be reflected on subsequent editions of any maps or informational literature produced by those entities; and
(b) place a formal request with the United States board on geographic names to render a decision on the proposed name change so that the new name will be reflected on all United States board on geographic names maps.
Section 2. Notification to tribal governments. The secretary of state shall send a copy of [this act] to each tribal government located on the seven Montana reservations and to the Little Shell band of Chippewa.
Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 2, chapter 15, part 1, and the provisions of Title 2, chapter 15, part 1, apply to [section 1].
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Latest Version of HB 412 (HB0412.ENR)
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