The controversial “Gulf of America” bill is poised to reach Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk following approval by the Rules Committee. The bill, known as SB 1058, proposes renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, sparking debate among lawmakers. Democratic State Senator Tina Polsky from Boca Raton expressed concerns over the bill, criticizing the decision to focus on renaming geographical bodies of water. She pointed out the lack of precedent for such changes by previous presidents.
On the other hand, the bill’s sponsor, Republican State Senator Joe Gruters from Sarasota, defended the proposal, emphasizing the importance of teaching children the updated names of geographical features. In response to public feedback, Gruters amended the bill to remove a provision that would have renamed the Tamiami Trail as the Gulf of America Trail.
Under the proposed legislation, effective July 1, 2025, all school districts and charter school boards in Florida would be required to adopt the new name. However, existing educational materials would not need to be updated to reflect this change. A similar initiative is underway in the Florida House, with HB 575 sponsored by Representatives Juan Porras and Tyler Sirois, aiming for the same renaming mandate.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has already announced plans to adopt the name change across all its materials. This move aligns with Executive Order 14172 issued by President Donald Trump, which mandates the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. The FWC’s updated materials will include documents, maps, forms, and resources, affecting various offices and programs related to the Gulf.
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In tandem with these developments, Google Maps has already reflected the change, updating its maps in February to display the Gulf of America.
The Tangible Impact
- The renaming may lead to increased administrative costs as public institutions and organizations update their materials to align with the new nomenclature.
- Educational institutions face the challenge of integrating this change into teaching materials, potentially impacting lesson plans and curricula.
- Tourism and local businesses might need to adjust their marketing strategies to accommodate the new name, potentially affecting branding and promotions.
- Residents and communities may experience confusion or resistance in adapting to the change, especially those with ties to the Gulf’s original name.
- Environmental and conservation discussions could be influenced, as organizations reframe their messaging around the newly designated Gulf of America.