Florida Legislature Passes 'Gulf of America' Bill

Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico as the 'Gulf of America' in state documents and educational materials, aligning with a federal executive order issued by former President Trump. House Bill 575 and Senate Bill 1058 both passed with substantial support, despite criticism from some lawmakers who question the necessity of the change. Proponents argue that the new name better reflects national interests, while opponents, including Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani, deem the effort a waste of legislative time, highlighting a disconnect with voter sentiment. The bills require state agencies and schools to implement this name change by July 1, 2025, but existing materials will not require updates. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is already updating its materials to reflect the new nomenclature. If the Senate approves the bills, they will be sent to Governor Ron DeSantis for final approval.