Florida has made history, becoming the first state to officially recognize the body of water off its western coast as the “Gulf of America.” Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation on Monday formally changing the name from the Gulf of Mexico in all state statutes and public school textbooks.
The move, enacted through House Bills 575 and 549, aligns state references with the new designation. This decision follows a purported executive order from President Donald Trump titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness,” aimed at renaming geographic features, including the Gulf and potentially reversing the name change of Denali in Alaska back to Mount McKinley.
READ: Trump Administration Seeks $9.3 Billion Funding Cut From NPR, PBS, And USAID
Governor DeSantis himself was the first official known to use the term “Gulf of America,” referencing it in an order related to an unusual winter storm that hit Florida in January, shortly after the supposed presidential directive was issued.
The legislative change, detailed in HB 575 (“The Designation of the Gulf of Mexico”), is comprehensive. It requires updating 53 separate references within Florida law.
These include critical descriptions of county boundary lines along the coast, regulations concerning tourist development taxes, coastal construction rules, property rights, beach management strategies, the definition of coastal barrier islands, and tax rules for oil drilling operations.
READ: From Publix Groceries To Gold: Florida Man Strikes It Rich With $1 Million Scratch-Off Win
The signing ceremony saw Governor DeSantis joined by several state senators, including Keith Truenow, Don Gaetz, Blaise Ingoglia, Nick DiCeglie, Stan McClain, Joe Gruters, and Jonathan Martin.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
