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 both surface and underground waters, explicitly replacing "Gulf of Mexico" with "Gulf of America" in various contexts. The bill also clarifies that "waters of the state" does 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.

Additionally, the bill enacts a new subsection that mandates all references to the "Gulf of Mexico" in Louisiana's laws to be interpreted as the "Gulf of America," ensuring consistency across legal documents and proceedings. The effective date of the bill is contingent upon the governor's signature or the expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature. Overall, this legislation aims to modernize the state's legal framework regarding its waters and coastal boundaries.

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)