S.B. No. 1717 introduces the "Gulf of America Language Initiative," which seeks to update Texas statutes and state publications by replacing the term "Gulf of Mexico" with "Gulf of America." This change is intended to provide a more accurate and modern description of the geographic feature. The bill mandates that all new legislation and amendments to existing laws adopt this terminology, and it directs the Texas Legislative Council and state agencies to implement the new nomenclature in their communications. The bill includes specific provisions across various codes, such as the Government Code, Agriculture Code, and Natural Resources Code, ensuring that references to the Gulf of America are consistently applied in contexts related to coastal waters, public health, and local governance.

In addition to the terminology change, the bill outlines responsibilities and regulations for municipalities and counties bordering the Gulf of America, including the management of public beaches, safety measures, and environmental protections. It establishes guidelines for the issuance of permits, the regulation of activities on beaches, and the management of water resources in relation to the Gulf of America. The bill also addresses tax provisions for municipalities and outlines the implications for general-law cities regarding their corporate boundaries. Overall, S.B. No. 1717 aims to modernize the legal framework governing Texas's coastal resources while emphasizing public access, environmental stewardship, and the need for consistent terminology across state laws.

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