Texas Wildlife Refuge Renamed to Honor Jocelyn Nungaray, Codifying Prior Executive Order

This legislation is straightforward: it legally changes the name of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. This isn't a massive policy shift, but rather an administrative action to honor a local tragedy, specifically the murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in June 2024.

The bill essentially takes a name change that was already implemented via a prior Executive Order (EO 14229) and locks it into federal law. The reasoning cited in the findings section is that Ms. Nungaray loved animals and the refuge is near her hometown of Houston. For the average person, this means if you’re planning a trip to this specific refuge, you’ll be looking for new signage and maps going forward.

The Administrative Cleanup Crew

Section 2 is where the rubber meets the road for federal agencies. It mandates that any official document, map, regulation, or record—basically anything the U.S. government has on file—that currently lists the old name must now be treated as if it refers to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. Think of it as a massive, mandatory find-and-replace operation across the entire federal bureaucracy.

If you work for a federal agency that deals with public lands, this means updating databases, printing new maps, and changing physical signage. While this is purely administrative, it ensures consistency. No one wants to show up to a refuge only to find outdated maps and conflicting names, which is why this kind of legal cleanup is necessary after a name change, whether it's a park or a military base.

Impact: Zero Policy Change, 100% Commemoration

Since this bill focuses only on renaming, it has zero impact on the refuge's operations, funding, or conservation status. The rules for hunting, fishing, and environmental protection remain exactly the same. For the public, the only change is the name you use when looking it up. This is a commemorative move, using federal land to pay tribute to a tragic event and honor the memory of a young girl. It’s a classic example of Congress using legislation for symbolic and honoring purposes rather than substantive policy reform.