House Bill 575 proposes a significant change in the terminology used within the Florida Statutes, officially designating the "Gulf of Mexico" as the "Gulf of America." This amendment will be reflected in approximately 30 sections of the statutes, including those related to county boundaries, coastal management, and environmental regulations. The bill not only replaces the term "Gulf of Mexico" with "Gulf of America" but also deletes references to "Mexico" in certain sections, thereby solidifying the new designation. The bill aims to standardize legal language and enhance clarity in the management of coastal resources and jurisdictional waters.

In addition to the name change, House Bill 575 introduces various provisions aimed at improving coastal management and environmental protection. It allows counties adjacent to the Gulf of America to utilize a portion of tourist development tax revenue for public safety services related to tourism and mandates the establishment of coastal construction control lines. The bill emphasizes the importance of preserving Florida's beaches and coastal ecosystems, outlines the responsibilities of state agencies in managing beach erosion, and establishes a commission to oversee fisheries conservation efforts. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, following its passage.

Statutes affected:
H 575 Filed: 7.03, 7.08, 7.09, 7.11, 7.15, 7.17, 7.19, 7.23, 7.27, 7.29, 7.33, 7.36, 7.38, 7.41, 7.46, 7.51, 7.52, 7.55, 7.56, 7.62, 7.65, 7.66, 125.0104, 161.088, 161.141, 161.151, 161.161, 206.9935, 253.03, 253.12, 253.783, 258.09, 258.395, 327.02, 327.60, 331.307, 373.019, 376.25, 377.242, 377.2431, 379.101, 379.2254, 379.244, 379.248, 380.0555, 380.24