---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 531"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "531"
heading: "Requirements relating to naming of Department property"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/531"
units:
  - "Part I — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 5 — Authority and Duties of the Secretary"
  - "Subchapter II — Specified Functions"
---

# §531. Requirements relating to naming of Department property

- (a) **Naming Limitation.—** Except as expressly provided by law or as authorized under [subsection (b)](#b), a facility, structure, or real property of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), and a major portion (such as a wing or floor) of any such facility, structure, or real property, may be named only for the geographic area in which the facility, structure, or real property is located.
- (b) **Transfer of Names.—**
  - (1) **In general.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may transfer the name of covered property of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to other covered property of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) if—
    - (A) the original covered property was designated with that name by law;
    - (B) the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) no longer offers benefits or services at the original covered property;
    - (C) the other covered property is similar in type and purpose as the original covered property;
    - (D) the other covered property is located in a different location or at a different address from the original covered property within the town, city, or other local government area specified in the designation made by such law; and
    - (E) such transfer occurs not less than 30 days after the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) notifies the Committee on [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on [Veterans](/usc/38/101.md?p=2)’ Affairs of the House of Representatives, and each member of Congress representing the [State](/usc/38/101.md?p=20) in which the original covered property and other covered property are located of the intent of the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) to transfer the name of the original covered property to the other covered property.
  - (2) **References.—** If the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) transfers the name of covered property under [paragraph (1)](#b-1), any reference in a law, regulation, map, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the covered property originally named by law shall be deemed to be a reference to the covered property to which the name has been transferred under such paragraph.
  - (3) **Covered property.—** In this subsection, the term “covered property” means a facility, structure, or real property of the [Department](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) or a major portion (such as a wing or floor) of any such facility, structure, or real property.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 105–368, title X, § 1001(a)(1), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3363; amended Pub. L. 117–137, § 1(a), June 7, 2022, 136 Stat. 1254.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–137, § 1(a)(2), (3), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, inserted “or as authorized under subsection (b)” after “Except as expressly provided by law”, and added subsec. (b).

Pub. L. 117–137, § 1(a)(1), substituted “Requirements” for “Requirement” in section catchline.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 105–368, title X, § 1001(b), Nov. 11, 1998, 112 Stat. 3363, provided that: “Section 531 of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to the assignment or designation of the name of a facility, structure, or real property of the Department of Veterans Affairs (or of a major portion thereof) after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 11, 1998].”