The bill amends existing Louisiana law to redefine certain terms related to the state's waters and to officially change references from the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America." Specifically, it updates the definition of "waters of the state" to include all surface and underground waters within Louisiana, explicitly replacing "Gulf of Mexico" with "Gulf of America." Additionally, the bill clarifies that "waters of the state" do not include waste treatment systems or "fastlands," which are defined as lands surrounded by levees or flood protection structures that do not maintain a continuous surface connection to other waters of the United States.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that any existing references to the "Gulf of Mexico" in Louisiana's laws, regulations, and official documents be updated to reflect the new designation of "Gulf of America." This change is intended to ensure consistency across all legal instruments and to clarify the state's jurisdictional boundaries in relation to its coastal waters. The act will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated period for bills to become law without a signature.

Statutes affected:
SB94 Original: 30:2073(7), 49:1(A), 49:23(6)
SB94 Engrossed: 30:2073(7), 49:1(A), 49:23(6)
SB94 Reengrossed: 30:2073(7), 49:1(A), 49:23(6)
SB94 Enrolled: 30:2073(7), 49:1(A), 49:23(6)
SB94 Act : 30:2073(7), 49:1(A), 49:23(6)