89R11265 JCG-F

By: Campbell S.B. No. 1410

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

ARTICLE 1. RENAMING OF TERMS IN STATE AGENCY RULES, POLICIES, AND

OTHER MATERIALS

SECTION 1.01. Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 2063 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 2063. RENAMING GULF OF MEXICO AS GULF OF AMERICA

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 2063.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the Renaming of the Gulf of Mexico for State Agency Consistency Act.

Sec. 2063.002. PURPOSE. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure all state agencies align their rules, policies, and administrative actions with federal directives or law regarding the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. This chapter seeks to safeguard state interests and property rights and provide for administrative consistency with federal laws, regulations, and funding mechanisms, while prioritizing public health and safety.

Sec. 2063.003. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "state agency" means:

(1) a department, commission, board, office, or other agency that is in the executive branch of state government and that was created by the constitution or a statute, including an institution of higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;

(2) the legislature or a legislative state agency; or

(3) the supreme court, the court of criminal appeals, a court of appeals, a district court, or the Texas Judicial Council or another agency in the judicial branch of state government.

Sec. 2063.004. NO IMPAIRMENT ON LAW, RULES, OR PROCEEDINGS INTENDED. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to impair the legal validity or effect of a law or rule that contains a reference to the Gulf of Mexico or a legal proceeding governed by a law or rule containing a reference to the Gulf of Mexico.

Sec. 2063.005. NONAPPLICABILITY. This chapter does not apply to a rule, policy, or other material in which renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America violates a condition of federal law or an executive order on which federal funding, benefits, obligations, or other legal requirements is based.

SUBCHAPTER A-1. PUBLIC COMMENT BY GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE

Sec. 2063.031. PUBLIC COMMENT AND REPORT. (a) Not later than January 1, 2026, the governor, in collaboration with the secretary of state, shall:

(1) provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the implementation of this chapter; and

(2) produce a report summarizing the public commentary received under Subdivision (1).

(b) The period of public comment required by Subsection (a) must be at least 30 days.

(c) State agencies and political subdivisions may provide commentary under this section identifying and addressing any potential challenges to the implementation of this chapter.

Sec. 2063.032. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires January 1, 2027.

SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES IN RENAMING GULF

OF MEXICO TO GULF OF AMERICA

Sec. 2063.051. DEADLINE TO RENAME. Not later than April 1, 2026, each state agency shall change each reference to the "Gulf of Mexico" in the state agency's rules, policies, and other materials to the "Gulf of America."

Sec. 2063.052. PRIORITY RENAMING. A state agency shall prioritize the renaming required by Section 2063.051 in rules, policies, and other materials that directly impact public health and safety, homeland security, state sovereignty, and the protection of commerce, including rules, policies, and other materials regarding:

(1) emergency management and disaster response in order to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure in the Gulf of America region;

(2) the continuity of commercial operations in and around the Gulf of America region to ensure economic stability and key commercial sectors in this state;

(3) public health advisories concerning gulf-related resources, such as fisheries and water quality, in order to protect the well-being of this state's residents;

(4) the coordination with federal and state homeland security agencies to address risks associated with border security, security maritime operations, and potential threats to critical assets, including commercial shipping routes and port facilities in or on the Gulf of America;

(5) environmental protection regulations to safeguard the Gulf of America's natural resources, ensuring resilience against threats such as pollution, natural disasters, and disruptions to industries reliant on these resources; and

(6) policies that preserve state sovereignty over the management and utilization of Texas coastal resources while supporting trade, commerce, and alignment with federal directives to maintain the economic strength of the region.

Sec. 2063.053. RULEMAKING. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a state agency shall adopt, readopt, amend, or repeal the state agency's rules in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 2001 as necessary to change the references to the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

(b) A state agency is not required to amend a rule under this chapter if the amendment would impose an undue burden or cost on the residents, businesses, or political subdivisions of this state.

SUBCHAPTER C. PLANNING; COMPLIANCE; FEDERAL COORDINATION

Sec. 2063.101. PLANNING. A state agency shall adopt a plan for performing the state agency's duties under this chapter. The plan must include detailed procedures and documentation of each person's duties under the plan.

Sec. 2063.102. COMPLIANCE; DOCUMENTATION OF COSTS. A state agency shall ensure that in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter:

(1) the state agency complies with the requirements of any federal law or executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America;

(2) the expenditures made for purposes of renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America comply with applicable federal and state laws; and

(3) the costs associated with performing the state agency's duties under this chapter are documented.

Sec. 2063.103. DATA INTEGRITY AND SECURITY. A state agency shall maintain data integrity and security in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter.

Sec. 2063.104. FEDERAL COORDINATION AUTHORIZED. A state agency may coordinate with any federal office or agency in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter.

Sec. 2063.105. REPORT ON PROGRESS AND DELAYS. (a) Not later than September 1, 2026, each state agency shall issue a report to the legislature on the progress the state agency has made in implementing this chapter, any challenges the state agency encountered in implementing this chapter, and any issues the agency needs to address to complete implementation of this chapter, including as necessary recommendations for further action to ensure compliance with this chapter.

(b) This section expires January 1, 2027.

SUBCHAPTER D. FUTURE CHANGES TO NAMES

Sec. 2063.151. GOVERNOR AUTHORIZED TO ORDER NAME CHANGE. (a) If federal law or executive order requires governmental entities to rename a place or thing, other than the Gulf of Mexico, the governor by executive order may require each state agency to rename the place or thing under procedures similar to the procedures prescribed by this chapter.

(b) The governor may establish procedures for the renaming described by Subsection (a) similar to the procedures under this chapter and establish additional procedures as necessary regarding notice to the public or interagency coordination for purposes of this section.

SUBCHAPTER E. ENFORCEMENT

Sec. 2063.201. AUDIT BY STATE AUDITOR. (a) The state auditor may review as necessary the operations and financial statements of a state agency to ensure the state agency is in compliance with this chapter.

(b) After a review conducted under this section, the state auditor shall issue recommendations for corrective actions to the state agency.

Sec. 2063.202. INJUNCTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. The attorney general may bring an action for injunctive relief against a state agency that violates or is threatening to violate this chapter to compel the state agency to comply with this chapter.

ARTICLE 2. RENAMING OF TERMS IN TEXAS CODES AND STATUTES

SECTION 2.01. Subchapter A, Chapter 311, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 311.007 to read as follows:

Sec. 311.007. REFERENCES TO GULF OF MEXICO. (a) A reference in law to the Gulf of Mexico is a reference to the Gulf of America.

(b) For purposes of this section, "Gulf of America" means the body of water formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico and renamed the "Gulf of America" by federal law or executive order.

SECTION 2.02. Subchapter B, Chapter 312, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 312.017 to read as follows:

Sec. 312.017. REFERENCES TO GULF OF MEXICO. (a) A reference in law to the Gulf of Mexico is a reference to the Gulf of America.

(b) For purposes of this section, "Gulf of America" means the body of water formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico and renamed the "Gulf of America" by federal law or executive order.

SECTION 2.03. The Texas Legislative Council shall prepare for consideration by the 90th Legislature a nonsubstantive revision of the Texas codes and revised statutes changing each reference to the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America."

ARTICLE 3. EFFECTIVE DATE

SECTION 3.01. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.