HB 247 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Gulf of Mexico, renamed, observation and implementation by state and local entities and state and local employees required where practicable

HB 247, titled the "Gulf of America Act," renames the Gulf of Mexico for all official purposes within the state. Beginning October 1, 2025, state and local government entities and employees would be required to use this new name where practicable. Compliance is not mandated if it imposes an operational or financial burden on the entity. Public K-12 schools and universities are permitted to continue using "Gulf of Mexico" for historical academic instruction.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 11, 2025 Last action May 1, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 4 edits · Apr 17, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was renamed from 'Introduced' to 'Engrossed' and passed the House of Representatives. Key substantive changes include moving the effective date from July 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025, adding a new section allowing public schools and universities to use 'Gulf of Mexico' for historical educational purposes, and modifying the burden clause to specify 'operational or financial burden' instead of 'undue burden'.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include an exemption for public K-12 schools and public institutions of higher education, allowing them to use the term 'Gulf of Mexico' for historical academic instruction.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the name change requirement was changed from July 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY

Added Section 3 exempting public K-12 schools and public institutions of higher education from the name change requirement when using the term for historical academic instruction.

REQUIREMENT

The exemption clause for state and local entities was modified to specify 'operational or financial burden' instead of 'undue burden' when updating pre-existing resources.

TECHNICAL

Added a formal citation clause in Section 1(a) allowing the act to be known as the 'Gulf of America Act'.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (County and Municipal Government)

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 877

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Stadthagen Previous Question - Adopted Roll Call 876

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 875

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit Engrossed Substitute Offered (Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit)

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit)

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Introduced

Ports, Waterways & Intermodal Transit 1st Amendment (Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit)

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Ports, Waterways and Intermodal Transit)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors