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 (Transportation Code 342, Parks and Wildlife Code 66, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 18, Government Code 1502, Education Code 155, Local Government Code 307, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 21, Health and Safety Code 366, Water Code 26, Local Government Code 501, Local Government Code 306, Transportation Code 52, Water Code 16, Parks and Wildlife Code 91, Tax Code 321, Parks and Wildlife Code 62, Tax Code 31, Tax Code 352, Transportation Code 67, Parks and Wildlife Code 13, Government Code 1475, Local Government Code 43, Water Code 27, Natural Resources Code 32, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251, Family Code 107, Health and Safety Code 773, Natural Resources Code 51, Local Government Code 321, Transportation Code 62, Transportation Code 283, Natural Resources Code 53, Government Code 1505, Parks and Wildlife Code 77, Local Government Code 233, Parks and Wildlife Code 47, Water Code 31, Transportation Code 341, Natural Resources Code 33, Tax Code 351, Health and Safety Code 361, Health and Safety Code 365, Tax Code 156, Natural Resources Code 40, Transportation Code 54, Health and Safety Code 711, Transportation Code 70, Water Code 60, Local Government Code 253, Local Government Code 571, Parks and Wildlife Code 43, Parks and Wildlife Code 86, Water Code 36, Transportation Code 623, Government Code 1506, Utilities Code 39, Transportation Code 729, Water Code 61, Local Government Code 351, Transportation Code 66, Transportation Code 69, Natural Resources Code 92, Local Government Code 85, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 15, Property Code 5, Local Government Code 375, Government Code 2204, Health and Safety Code 775, Local Government Code 118, Tax Code 11, Government Code 1431, Natural Resources Code 52, Transportation Code 551, Government Code 1478, Transportation Code 750, Parks and Wildlife Code 1, Local Government Code 382, Transportation Code 61, Water Code 49, Local Government Code 240, Water Code 63, Transportation Code 644, Transportation Code 463, Tax Code 41, Natural Resources Code 11, Local Government Code 42, Property Code 204, Local Government Code 561, Transportation Code 68, Parks and Wildlife Code 21, Occupations Code 2025, Parks and Wildlife Code 46, Water Code 11, Health and Safety Code 341, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 78, Natural Resources Code 62, Water Code 18, Local Government Code 254, Natural Resources Code 61, Local Government Code 152, Water Code 28, Water Code 54, Natural Resources Code 63, Agriculture Code 47, Transportation Code 284)
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 (Transportation Code 342, Special District Local Laws Code 5201, Parks and Wildlife Code 66, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 18, Government Code 1502, Education Code 155, Local Government Code 307, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 21, Health and Safety Code 366, Water Code 26, Local Government Code 501, Local Government Code 306, Transportation Code 52, Water Code 16, Parks and Wildlife Code 91, Tax Code 321, Parks and Wildlife Code 62, Tax Code 31, Tax Code 352, Transportation Code 67, Parks and Wildlife Code 13, Government Code 1475, Local Government Code 43, Water Code 27, Natural Resources Code 32, Alcoholic Beverage Code 251, Family Code 107, Health and Safety Code 773, Natural Resources Code 51, Local Government Code 321, Transportation Code 62, Transportation Code 283, Natural Resources Code 53, Government Code 1505, Parks and Wildlife Code 77, Local Government Code 233, Parks and Wildlife Code 47, Water Code 31, Transportation Code 341, Natural Resources Code 33, Tax Code 351, Health and Safety Code 361, Health and Safety Code 365, Tax Code 156, Natural Resources Code 40, Transportation Code 54, Health and Safety Code 711, Transportation Code 70, Water Code 60, Local Government Code 253, Local Government Code 571, Parks and Wildlife Code 43, Parks and Wildlife Code 86, Special District Local Laws Code 5002, Water Code 36, Transportation Code 623, Government Code 1506, Utilities Code 39, Transportation Code 729, Water Code 61, Local Government Code 351, Transportation Code 66, Transportation Code 69, Natural Resources Code 92, Local Government Code 85, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 15, Property Code 5, Local Government Code 375, Government Code 2204, Health and Safety Code 775, Local Government Code 118, Tax Code 11, Government Code 1431, Natural Resources Code 52, Transportation Code 551, Government Code 1478, Transportation Code 750, Parks and Wildlife Code 1, Local Government Code 382, Transportation Code 61, Water Code 49, Local Government Code 240, Water Code 63, Transportation Code 644, Transportation Code 463, Tax Code 41, Natural Resources Code 11, Local Government Code 42, Property Code 204, Local Government Code 561, Transportation Code 68, Parks and Wildlife Code 21, Occupations Code 2025, Parks and Wildlife Code 46, Water Code 11, Health and Safety Code 341, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 78, Natural Resources Code 62, Water Code 18, Local Government Code 254, Natural Resources Code 61, Local Government Code 152, Water Code 28, Water Code 54, Natural Resources Code 63, Agriculture Code 47, Transportation Code 284)
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