summary
Introduced
09/23/2025
09/23/2025
In Committee
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Crossed Over
02/12/2026
02/12/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to recognizing Judea and Samaria; providing a short title; creating s. 1.016, F.S.; providing legislative intent; defining the terms "official government material" and "state agency"; prohibiting the use of the term "West Bank" in official government materials; prohibiting the use of moneys to create official government materials using such term; requiring instructional materials and library media center collections adopted or acquired by certain entities on or after a specified date to refer to a certain area as Judea and Samaria; prohibiting instructional materials and library media center collections adopted or acquired by certain entities on or after a specified date from using the term "West Bank"; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the "Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act," mandates that Florida state agencies and educational institutions cease using the term "West Bank" in official government materials and instructional materials, respectively, and instead refer to that geographical area as "Judea and Samaria," with "Judea" being the land south of Jerusalem and "Samaria" being the land north of Jerusalem. This change is intended to reflect the historical names of the land liberated by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, and it specifically prohibits the use of state funds to create official government materials that use the term "West Bank" for this region. Furthermore, instructional materials and library collections adopted or acquired by district school boards or charter school governing boards on or after July 1, 2026, must comply with this naming convention, prohibiting the use of "West Bank" and requiring the use of "Judea and Samaria."
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (17)
Debra Tendrich (D)*,
Chase Tramont (R)*,
Doug Bankson (R),
Yvette Benarroch (R),
Dean Black (R),
Hillary Cassel (R),
Nan Cobb (R),
Kimberly Daniels (D),
Mike Gottlieb (D),
Jeff Holcomb (R),
Kim Kendall (R),
Patt Maney (R),
Monique Miller (R),
Bill Partington (R),
Rachel Plakon (R),
Mike Redondo (R),
Alex Rizo (R),
Other Sponsors (1)
Government Operations Subcommittee (House)
Last Action
Received (on 02/18/2026)
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/2026/31 |
| Analysis - State Affairs Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/31/Analyses/h0031c.SAC.PDF |
| Analysis - State Affairs Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/31/Analyses/h0031b.SAC.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/31/BillText/c1/PDF |
| Analysis - Government Operations Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/31/Analyses/h0031a.GOS.PDF |
| https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/31/Amendment/682879/PDF | |
| Analysis - Government Operations Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/31/Analyses/h0031.GOS.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/31/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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