HB 2

HB2 ENROLLED
1 HB2
2 XDPUG7Z-3
3 By Representative Standridge
4 RFD: State Government
5 First Read: 13-Jan-26
6 PFD: 25-Jun-25
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1 Enrolled, An Act,
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4Relating to the Gulf of Mexico; to rename the Gulf of
5 Mexico as the "Gulf of America"; and to require all state and
6 local entities and all employees of those entities to observe
7 and implement the name change, where practicable.
8 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
9Section 1. (a) This act shall be known and may be cited
10 as the Gulf of America Act.
11(b) For all purposes within the State of Alabama, the
12 body of water that borders the coast of Alabama, previously
13 known as the Gulf of Mexico, shall be known as the "Gulf of
14 America." Any reference to the Gulf of Mexico shall be deemed
15 to be a reference to the Gulf of America.
16Section 2. Beginning October 1, 2026, all state and
17 local entities and their employees shall be required to do all
18 of the following:
19(1) Refer to the body of water that borders the coast
20 of Alabama as the "Gulf of America."
21(2) Reflect the "Gulf of America" terminology in all
22 newly created maps, documents, educational materials,
23 websites, official communications, and other resources.
24(3)a. Make reasonable efforts to update all
25 pre-existing resources owned by state and local entities,
26 including, but not limited to, official state maps, documents,
27 educational materials, websites, and communications under
28 their jurisdiction to reflect the name change, where
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29 practicable.
30b. The requirements of paragraph a. shall not apply if
31 compliance would impose an operational or financial burden on
32 the state or local entity and their employees.
33Section 3. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a
34 public K-12 school or public institution of higher education
35 from using the term "Gulf of Mexico" within a larger course of
36 academic instruction when reasonable for historical purposes.
37Section 4. This act shall become effective on October
38 1, 2026.
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48________________________________________________
49Speaker of the House of Representatives
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54President and Presiding Officer of the Senate
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57House of Representatives
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59I hereby certify that the within Act originated in and
60 was passed by the House 24-Feb-26, as amended.
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62John Treadwell
63Clerk
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69 Senate  31-Mar-26  Passed
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