S.B. No. 1717, known as the "Gulf of America Language Initiative," proposes a comprehensive amendment to Texas law, replacing all references to the "Gulf of Mexico" with "Gulf of America" across various state statutes, resolutions, rules, and publications. The bill establishes a new chapter in the Government Code, Chapter 394, which articulates the legislature's intent to modernize terminology related to this geographic feature. It mandates that the Texas Legislative Council and state agencies adopt the new terminology in all legal documents, while also requiring updates to existing documents as they are amended. The bill encompasses changes across multiple codes, including the Government Code, Agriculture Code, and Natural Resources Code, ensuring that the new designation is consistently applied in legal contexts.
In addition to the name change, the bill outlines specific provisions regarding the management of coastal resources, public safety, and local governance in relation to the Gulf of America. It clarifies definitions related to floodplains, public beaches, and coastal management, while also addressing the responsibilities of local governments in maintaining public access to beaches and regulating activities in coastal areas. The bill includes provisions for tax implications related to hotel occupancy in municipalities bordering the Gulf of America and emphasizes the importance of environmental stewardship and public safety. The amendments will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.
Statutes affected: Introduced: Agriculture Code 47.051, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251.742, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 15.0181, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 18.033, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 21.021, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 78.052, Education Code 155.001, Education Code 155.003, Family Code 107.106, Government Code 1431.015, Government Code 1475.051, Government Code 1478.001, Government Code 1502.057, Government Code 1502.070, Government Code 1505.001, Government Code 1505.053, Government Code 1505.102, Government Code 1505.201, Government Code 1506.101, Government Code 2204.301, Health and Safety Code 341.03571, Health and Safety Code 361.121, Health and Safety Code 361.122, Health and Safety Code 365.003, Health and Safety Code 366.012, Health and Safety Code 711.008, Health and Safety Code 773.1141, Health and Safety Code 775.021, Local Government Code 42.021, Local Government Code 42.0235, Local Government Code 43.017, Local Government Code 43.0751, Local Government Code 43.082, Local Government Code 43.902, Local Government Code 85.004, Local Government Code 118.026, Local Government Code 152.032, Local Government Code 233.001, Local Government Code 240.901, Local Government Code 240.902, Local Government Code 240.909, Local Government Code 240.910, Local Government Code 253.001, Local Government Code 254.001, Local Government Code 306.032, Local Government Code 307.001, Local Government Code 307.002, Local Government Code 307.021, Local Government Code 321.001, Local Government Code 321.101, Local Government Code 351.081, Local Government Code 351.083, Local Government Code 351.084, Local Government Code 375.182, Local Government Code 382.002, Local Government Code 501.103, Local Government Code 501.163, Local Government Code 561.007, Local Government Code 561.008, Local Government Code 571.001, Natural Resources Code 11.0111, Natural Resources Code 11.012, Natural Resources Code 11.013, Natural Resources Code 11.041, Natural Resources Code 32.066, Natural Resources Code 32.067, Natural Resources Code 33.004, Natural Resources Code 33.203, Natural Resources Code 33.233, Natural Resources Code 33.607, Natural Resources Code 33.613, Natural Resources Code 33.651, Natural Resources Code 33.656, Natural Resources Code 40.003, Natural Resources Code 51.291, Natural Resources Code 52.011, Natural Resources Code 52.297, Natural Resources Code 52.321, Natural Resources Code 53.011, Natural Resources Code 53.151, Natural Resources Code 53.155, Natural Resources Code 53.161, Natural Resources Code 61.001, Natural Resources Code 61.021, Natural Resources Code 61.012, Natural Resources Code 61.013, Natural Resources Code 61.022, Natural Resources Code 61.023, Natural Resources Code 61.025, Natural Resources Code 61.062, Natural Resources Code 61.064, Natural Resources Code 61.065, Natural Resources Code 61.066, Natural Resources Code 61.078, Natural Resources Code 61.080, Natural Resources Code 61.083, Natural Resources Code 61.129, Natural Resources Code 61.132, Natural Resources Code 61.161, Natural Resources Code 61.162, Natural Resources Code 61.211, Natural Resources Code 61.213, Natural Resources Code 61.223, Natural Resources Code 61.224, Natural Resources Code 61.252, Natural Resources Code 62.001, Natural Resources Code 62.011, Natural Resources Code 62.091, Natural Resources Code 63.012, Natural Resources Code 63.011, Natural Resources Code 63.002, Natural Resources Code 63.001, Natural Resources Code 92.002, Occupations Code 2025.152, Property Code 5.008, Property Code 204.002, Parks and Wildlife Code 1.011, Parks and Wildlife Code 13.023, Parks and Wildlife Code 13.314, Parks and Wildlife Code 21.111, Parks and Wildlife Code 43.402, Parks and Wildlife Code 46.001, Parks and Wildlife Code 47.001, Parks and Wildlife Code 47.038, Parks and Wildlife Code 62.0061, Parks and Wildlife Code 66.015, Parks and Wildlife Code 66.204, Parks and Wildlife Code 66.301, Parks and Wildlife Code 77.001, Parks and Wildlife Code 77.072, Parks and Wildlife Code 77.061, Parks and Wildlife Code 86.0151, Parks and Wildlife Code 86.0152, Parks and Wildlife Code 91.008, Transportation Code 52.002, Transportation Code 54.001, Transportation Code 61.002, Transportation Code 61.006, Transportation Code 62.024, Transportation Code 66.002, Transportation Code 67.002, Transportation Code 68.002, Transportation Code 69.002, Transportation Code 69.064, Transportation Code 70.002, Transportation Code 283.001, Transportation Code 283.002, Transportation Code 284.002, Transportation Code 341.002, Transportation Code 342.001, Transportation Code 463.002, Transportation Code 551.404, Transportation Code 623.210, Transportation Code 623.212, Transportation Code 623.406, Transportation Code 644.101, Transportation Code 729.001, Transportation Code 750.002, Tax Code 11.271, Tax Code 31.03, Tax Code 41.44, Tax Code 156.2512, Tax Code 321.101, Tax Code 351.001, Tax Code 351.003, Tax Code 351.102, Tax Code 351.1055, Tax Code 351.1066, Tax Code 351.107, Tax Code 351.10713, Tax Code 351.152, Tax Code 352.002, Tax Code 352.003, Tax Code 352.1033, Utilities Code 39.9016, Water Code 11.002, Water Code 11.021, Water Code 11.023, Water Code 11.050, Water Code 11.0871, Water Code 11.1405, Water Code 11.142, Water Code 11.1421, Water Code 11.3271, Water Code 16.321, Water Code 16.053, Water Code 18.001, Water Code 18.003, Water Code 18.005, Water Code 26.001, Water Code 26.0272, Water Code 26.044, Water Code 27.040, Water Code 28.001, Water Code 31.001, Water Code 36.001, Water Code 49.2127, Water Code 49.502, Water Code 54.235, Water Code 60.039, Water Code 61.151, Water Code 61.156, Water Code 63.157 (Government Code 1478, Transportation Code 644, Local Government Code 321, Parks and Wildlife Code 62, Water Code 54, Water Code 63, Local Government Code 375, Water Code 16, Local Government Code 561, Water Code 28, Natural Resources Code 51, Transportation Code 61, Transportation Code 283, Parks and Wildlife Code 77, Health and Safety Code 341, Local Government Code 254, Occupations Code 2025, Education Code 155, Parks and Wildlife Code 21, Water Code 18, Local Government Code 306, Natural Resources Code 32, Local Government Code 85, Transportation Code 463, Parks and Wildlife Code 46, Natural Resources Code 33, Local Government Code 382, Water Code 61, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 15, Tax Code 156, Water Code 27, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 18, Local Government Code 233, Transportation Code 66, Natural Resources Code 52, Water Code 60, Local Government Code 351, Local Government Code 307, Local Government Code 42, Local Government Code 571, Transportation Code 54, Parks and Wildlife Code 66, Transportation Code 70, Agriculture Code 47, Health and Safety Code 365, Water Code 31, Transportation Code 67, Transportation Code 52, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 21, Local Government Code 240, Parks and Wildlife Code 91, Natural Resources Code 11, Parks and Wildlife Code 1, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251, Government Code 1475, Parks and Wildlife Code 13, Transportation Code 342, Natural Resources Code 53, Parks and Wildlife Code 86, Water Code 11, Family Code 107, Parks and Wildlife Code 43, Local Government Code 253, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 78, Local Government Code 152, Transportation Code 623, Tax Code 41, Natural Resources Code 61, Tax Code 351, Transportation Code 729, Property Code 5, Transportation Code 68, Government Code 1506, Local Government Code 43, Natural Resources Code 92, Local Government Code 501, Parks and Wildlife Code 47, Health and Safety Code 773, Transportation Code 341, Tax Code 321, Water Code 49, Natural Resources Code 62, Natural Resources Code 63, Government Code 1431, Transportation Code 69, Health and Safety Code 711, Tax Code 31, Health and Safety Code 775, Government Code 1502, Transportation Code 284, Tax Code 352, Government Code 2204, Transportation Code 551, Transportation Code 750, Natural Resources Code 40, Water Code 26, Tax Code 11, Government Code 1505, Property Code 204, Health and Safety Code 366, Utilities Code 39, Local Government Code 118, Transportation Code 62, Water Code 36, Health and Safety Code 361)
Senate Committee Report: Agriculture Code 47.051, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251.742, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 15.0181, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 18.033, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 21.021, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 78.052, Education Code 155.001, Education Code 155.003, Family Code 107.106, Government Code 1431.015, Government Code 1475.051, Government Code 1478.001, Government Code 1502.057, Government Code 1502.070, Government Code 1505.001, Government Code 1505.053, Government Code 1505.102, Government Code 1505.201, Government Code 1505.251, Government Code 1506.101, Government Code 2204.301, Health and Safety Code 341.03571, Health and Safety Code 361.121, Health and Safety Code 361.122, Health and Safety Code 365.033, Health and Safety Code 366.012, Health and Safety Code 711.008, Health and Safety Code 773.1141, Health and Safety Code 775.021, Local Government Code 42.021, Local Government Code 42.0235, Local Government Code 43.017, Local Government Code 43.0751, Local Government Code 43.082, Local Government Code 43.902, Local Government Code 85.004, Local Government Code 118.026, Local Government Code 152.032, Local Government Code 233.001, Local Government Code 240.901, Local Government Code 240.902, Local Government Code 240.909, Local Government Code 240.910, Local Government Code 253.001, Local Government Code 254.001, Local Government Code 306.032, Local Government Code 307.001, Local Government Code 307.002, Local Government Code 307.021, Local Government Code 307.042, Local Government Code 321.001, Local Government Code 321.101, Local Government Code 351.081, Local Government Code 351.083, Local Government Code 351.084, Local Government Code 375.182, Local Government Code 382.002, Local Government Code 501.103, Local Government Code 501.163, Local Government Code 561.007, Local Government Code 561.008, Local Government Code 571.001, Natural Resources Code 11.0111, Natural Resources Code 11.012, Natural Resources Code 11.013, Natural Resources Code 11.041, Natural Resources Code 32.066, Natural Resources Code 32.067, Natural Resources Code 33.004, Natural Resources Code 33.203, Natural Resources Code 33.233, Natural Resources Code 33.607, Natural Resources Code 33.613, Natural Resources Code 33.651, Natural Resources Code 33.656, Natural Resources Code 40.003, Natural Resources Code 51.291, Natural Resources Code 52.011, Natural Resources Code 52.297, Natural Resources Code 52.321, Natural Resources Code 53.011, Natural Resources Code 53.151, Natural Resources Code 53.155, Natural Resources Code 53.161, Natural Resources Code 61.001, Natural Resources Code 61.021, Natural Resources Code 61.012, Natural Resources Code 61.013, Natural Resources Code 61.022, Natural Resources Code 61.023, Natural Resources Code 61.025, Natural Resources Code 61.062, Natural Resources Code 61.064, Natural Resources Code 61.065, Natural Resources Code 61.066, Natural Resources Code 61.078, Natural Resources Code 61.080, Natural Resources Code 61.083, Natural Resources Code 61.122, Natural Resources Code 61.129, Natural Resources Code 61.132, Natural Resources Code 61.161, Natural Resources Code 61.162, Natural Resources Code 61.211, Natural Resources Code 61.213, Natural Resources Code 61.223, Natural Resources Code 61.224, Natural Resources Code 61.252, Natural Resources Code 62.001, Natural Resources Code 62.011, Natural Resources Code 62.091, Natural Resources Code 63.001, Natural Resources Code 63.002, Natural Resources Code 63.011, Natural Resources Code 63.012, Natural Resources Code 92.002, Occupations Code 2025.152, Property Code 5.008, Property Code 204.002, Parks and Wildlife Code 1.011, Parks and Wildlife Code 13.023, Parks and Wildlife Code 13.314, Parks and Wildlife Code 21.111, Parks and Wildlife Code 43.402, Parks and Wildlife Code 46.001, Parks and Wildlife Code 47.001, Parks and Wildlife Code 47.038, Parks and Wildlife Code 62.0061, Parks and Wildlife Code 66.015, Parks and Wildlife Code 66.204, Parks and Wildlife Code 66.301, Parks and Wildlife Code 77.001, Parks and Wildlife Code 77.072, Parks and Wildlife Code 77.061, Parks and Wildlife Code 86.0151, Parks and Wildlife Code 86.0152, Parks and Wildlife Code 91.008, Special District Local Laws Code 5002.151, Special District Local Laws Code 5002.201, Special District Local Laws Code 5002.205, Special District Local Laws Code 5201.005, Transportation Code 52.002, Transportation Code 54.001, Transportation Code 61.002, Transportation Code 61.006, Transportation Code 62.024, Transportation Code 66.002, Transportation Code 67.002, Transportation Code 68.002, Transportation Code 69.002, Transportation Code 69.064, Transportation Code 70.002, Transportation Code 283.001, Transportation Code 283.002, Transportation Code 284.002, Transportation Code 341.002, Transportation Code 342.001, Transportation Code 463.002, Transportation Code 551.404, Transportation Code 623.210, Transportation Code 623.212, Transportation Code 623.406, Transportation Code 729.001, Transportation Code 750.002, Tax Code 11.271, Tax Code 31.03, Tax Code 156.2512, Tax Code 156.252, Tax Code 321.101, Tax Code 351.001, Tax Code 351.003, Tax Code 351.102, Tax Code 351.1055, Tax Code 351.1066, Tax Code 351.107, Tax Code 351.10713, Tax Code 351.152, Tax Code 352.002, Tax Code 352.003, Tax Code 352.1033, Utilities Code 39.9016, Water Code 11.002, Water Code 11.021, Water Code 11.023, Water Code 11.050, Water Code 11.0871, Water Code 11.1405, Water Code 11.142, Water Code 11.1421, Water Code 11.3271, Water Code 16.053, Water Code 16.321, Water Code 18.001, Water Code 18.003, Water Code 18.005, Water Code 26.001, Water Code 26.0272, Water Code 26.044, Water Code 27.040, Water Code 28.001, Water Code 31.001, Water Code 36.001, Water Code 49.2127, Water Code 49.502, Water Code 54.235, Water Code 60.039, Water Code 61.151, Water Code 63.156, Water Code 63.157 (Government Code 1478, Transportation Code 644, Local Government Code 321, Parks and Wildlife Code 62, Water Code 54, Water Code 63, Local Government Code 375, Water Code 16, Local Government Code 561, Water Code 28, Natural Resources Code 51, Transportation Code 61, Transportation Code 283, Parks and Wildlife Code 77, Health and Safety Code 341, Local Government Code 254, Occupations Code 2025, Education Code 155, Parks and Wildlife Code 21, Water Code 18, Local Government Code 306, Natural Resources Code 32, Local Government Code 85, Transportation Code 463, Parks and Wildlife Code 46, Natural Resources Code 33, Local Government Code 382, Water Code 61, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 15, Tax Code 156, Water Code 27, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 18, Local Government Code 233, Transportation Code 66, Natural Resources Code 52, Water Code 60, Local Government Code 351, Local Government Code 307, Local Government Code 42, Local Government Code 571, Transportation Code 54, Parks and Wildlife Code 66, Transportation Code 70, Agriculture Code 47, Health and Safety Code 365, Water Code 31, Transportation Code 67, Transportation Code 52, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 21, Local Government Code 240, Parks and Wildlife Code 91, Natural Resources Code 11, Parks and Wildlife Code 1, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251, Government Code 1475, Special District Local Laws Code 5002, Parks and Wildlife Code 13, Transportation Code 342, Natural Resources Code 53, Parks and Wildlife Code 86, Water Code 11, Family Code 107, Parks and Wildlife Code 43, Local Government Code 253, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 78, Local Government Code 152, Transportation Code 623, Tax Code 41, Natural Resources Code 61, Tax Code 351, Transportation Code 729, Property Code 5, Transportation Code 68, Government Code 1506, Local Government Code 43, Natural Resources Code 92, Local Government Code 501, Parks and Wildlife Code 47, Health and Safety Code 773, Transportation Code 341, Tax Code 321, Water Code 49, Natural Resources Code 62, Natural Resources Code 63, Government Code 1431, Transportation Code 69, Health and Safety Code 711, Tax Code 31, Health and Safety Code 775, Government Code 1502, Transportation Code 284, Tax Code 352, Government Code 2204, Transportation Code 551, Transportation Code 750, Natural Resources Code 40, Special District Local Laws Code 5201, Water Code 26, Tax Code 11, Government Code 1505, Property Code 204, Health and Safety Code 366, Utilities Code 39, Local Government Code 118, Transportation Code 62, Water Code 36, Health and Safety Code 361)
Engrossed: Agriculture Code 47.051, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251.742, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 15.0181, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 18.033, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 21.021, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 78.052, Education Code 155.001, Education Code 155.003, Family Code 107.106, Government Code 1431.015, Government Code 1475.051, Government Code 1478.001, Government Code 1502.057, Government Code 1502.070, Government Code 1505.001, Government Code 1505.053, Government Code 1505.102, Government Code 1505.201, Government Code 1505.251, Government Code 1506.101, Government Code 2204.301, Health and Safety Code 341.03571, Health and Safety Code 361.121, Health and Safety Code 361.122, Health and Safety Code 365.033, Health and Safety Code 366.012, Health and Safety Code 711.008, Health and Safety Code 773.1141, Health and Safety Code 775.021, Local Government Code 42.021, Local Government Code 42.0235, Local Government Code 43.017, Local Government Code 43.0751, Local Government Code 43.082, Local Government Code 43.902, Local Government Code 85.004, Local Government Code 118.026, Local Government Code 152.032, Local Government Code 233.001, Local Government Code 240.901, Local Government Code 240.902, Local Government Code 240.909, Local Government Code 240.910, Local Government Code 253.001, Local Government Code 254.001, Local Government Code 306.032, Local Government Code 307.001, Local Government Code 307.002, Local Government Code 307.021, Local Government Code 307.042, Local Government Code 321.001, Local Government Code 321.101, Local Government Code 351.081, Local Government Code 351.083, Local Government Code 351.084