(WDNews) – The Alabama House of Representatives has passed the Gulf of America Act, a bill requiring all state and local government entities to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico” in newly created official materials.
Starting October 1, the name change would apply to maps, educational resources, websites, documents, and communications produced by state and local agencies. The bill specifies that existing materials do not need to be updated unless doing so would not create a financial or operational burden. The intent is to ensure that the updated terminology is used in all future state communications, reflecting a shift in how the body of water is referred to in official contexts.
The legislation was introduced in response to a directive from President Donald Trump, who advocated for renaming the Gulf of Mexico as part of a broader initiative to assert American identity over the body of water. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. David Standridge, has emphasized that the change provides clear guidance to state agencies on how to proceed with the update.
If passed into law, the change will formally take effect this fall, marking a significant shift in how Alabama refers to this important geographical feature.
