summary
Introduced
02/11/2025
02/11/2025
In Committee
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to the Gulf of America; amending ss. 7.03, 7.08, 7.09, 7.11, 7.15, 7.17, 7.19, 7.23, 7.27, 7.29, 7.33, 7.36, 7.38, 7.41, 7.46, 7.51, 7.52, 7.55, 7.56, 7.62, 7.65, 7.66, 125.0104, 161.052, 161.053, 161.088, 161.141, 161.151, 161.161, 161.54, 161.55, 206.9935, 253.03, 253.12, 253.783, 258.09, 258.395, 258.3991, 327.02, 327.60, 331.307, 373.019, 373.069, 375.031, 376.25, 377.242, 377.2431, 379.101, 379.244, 379.248, 380.0555, and 380.24, F.S.; renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” throughout the Florida Statutes; reenacting s. 337.401(7)(b) and (p), F.S., relating to the use of rights-of-way for utilities subject to regulation, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 161.053, F.S., in references thereto; reenacting ss. 327.371(1) and 379.2431(2)(p), F.S., relating to the regulation of human-powered vessels and the regulation of marine animals, respectively, to incorporate the amendment made to s. 327.02, F.S., in references thereto; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, the Gulf of Mexico spans approximately 1,700 miles along the United States coastline, of which 770 miles are located along the Florida coast, and WHEREAS, on January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order Number 14172 entitled “Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness” directing the Secretary of the Interior to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” in order to recognize the importance of the body of water to the United States, and WHEREAS, the Legislature intends to reflect this name change in the Florida Statutes, NOW, THEREFORE,
AI Summary
This bill renames the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" throughout the Florida Statutes, reflecting an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump in January 2025. The bill systematically amends numerous sections of Florida law to replace references to the "Gulf of Mexico" with "Gulf of America", touching on a wide range of topics including county boundary descriptions, coastal management, environmental regulations, marine resources, and water management districts. The changes are primarily technical, swapping out the body of water's name while maintaining the substantive legal provisions. The bill appears to be a symbolic gesture to recognize the importance of the gulf to the United States, with no substantive changes to existing law beyond the name change. The rename applies to all contexts where the Gulf of Mexico is mentioned, from defining county boundaries to regulating fishing, marine activities, and environmental protections. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, coinciding with the executive order's implementation.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Laid on Table, refer to HB 575 (on 04/09/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/608 |
| Analysis - Fiscal Policy (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/608/Analyses/2025s00608.fp.PDF |
| Analysis - Fiscal Policy (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/608/Analyses/2025s00608.pre.fp.PDF |
| Analysis - Community Affairs (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/608/Analyses/2025s00608.ca.PDF |
| Analysis - Community Affairs (Pre-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/608/Analyses/2025s00608.pre.ca.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/608/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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