TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers are one step closer to making “Gulf of America” an official moniker under state statutes.
On Tuesday, lawmakers discussed a bill (SB 608) that would rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America,” revising over 50 state statutes to reflect the name change.
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The issue kicked off back in January after President Donald Trump issued an executive order that directed the Secretary of the Interior to implement the shift to Gulf of America.
“The area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico has long been an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and has remained an indelible part of America. The Gulf was a crucial artery for America’s early trade and global commerce. It is the largest gulf in the world, and the United States coastline along this remarkable body of water spans over 1,700 miles and contains nearly 160 million acres.
Its natural resources and wildlife remain central to America’s economy today. The bountiful geology of this basin has made it one of the most prodigious oil and gas regions in the world, providing roughly 14% of our Nation’s crude-oil production and an abundance of natural gas, and consistently driving new and innovative technologies that have allowed us to tap into some of the deepest and richest oil reservoirs in the world.
The Gulf is also home to vibrant American fisheries teeming with snapper, shrimp, grouper, stone crab, and other species, and it is recognized as one of the most productive fisheries in the world, with the second largest volume of commercial fishing landings by region in the Nation, contributing millions of dollars to local American economies. The Gulf is also a favorite destination for American tourism and recreation activities. Further, the Gulf is a vital region for the multi-billion-dollar U.S. maritime industry, providing some of the largest and most impressive ports in the world.
The Gulf will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy, and in recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that it officially be renamed the Gulf of America.”
Executive Order No. 14172, "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness"
That order gave a 30-day time limit for the name change to be implemented through the federal GNIS, though the new designation can’t be applied to federal law without Congressional action.
However, SB 608 seeks to do just that in Florida, replacing all references to the “Gulf of Mexico” with “Gulf of America,” officially sanctifying the name change under state law.
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“Here in Pinellas, we’re making it official. Today, I filed legislation to ensure Florida state records reflect the new name of this beautiful body of water — the Gulf of America,” wrote the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Nick DiCeglie.
Other state officials have also accepted the name change, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, who used the new moniker just after the order was issued while declaring a state of emergency over frigid weather. The change was also adopted on Google Maps for U.S. users.
DiCeglie’s bill was approved 4-3 during a Senate committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon, shortly after a similar bill (HB 575) was approved in a House committee.
During the Senate meeting, state Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-37, raised the question of whether the bill would incur any costs.
“Is there a number or amount or a cost associated with the name change that, if it hit, you would no longer want to push forward this bill? Like, if I told you it was $20 million or $10 million?” he asked.
“Every Legislative session, Sen. Pizzo, we change words and chapters and add new chapters in Florida statute,” DiCeglie responded. “So those books that sit on our shelves are changed every year. And so changing the word of ‘Mexico’ to ‘America’ would be part of all of the other changes that we’re going to experience here.”
A Legislative analysis of the bill notes no fiscal impacts associated with the name change. If approved, the bill will take effect on July 1.