BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1410 89R1165 JCG-F By: Campbell State Affairs 4/3/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT As proposed, S.B. 1410 amends current law relating to renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to a state agency in SECTION 1.01 (Section 2063.053, Government Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS ARTICLE 1. RENAMING OF TERMS IN STATE AGENCY RULES, POLICIES, AND OTHER MATERIALS SECTION 1.01 Amends Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, by adding Chapter 2603, as follows: CHAPTER 2063. RENAMING GULF OF MEXICO AS GULF OF AMERICA SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 2063.001. SHORT TITLE. Authorizes this chapter to be cited as the Renaming of the Gulf of Mexico for State Agency Consistency Act. Sec. 2063.002. PURPOSE. Provides that 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. Provides that 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. Defines "state agency." Sec. 2063.004. NO IMPAIRMENT ON LAW, RULES, OR PROCEEDINGS INTENDED. Provides that nothing in this chapter is authorized to 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. Provides that 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) Requires the governor, not later than January 1, 2026, in collaboration with the secretary of state, to: (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) Requires that the period of public comment required by Subsection (a) be at least 30 days. (c) Authorizes state agencies and political subdivisions to provide commentary under this section identifying and addressing any potential challenges to the implementation of this chapter. Sec. 2063.032. EXPIRATION. Provides that this subchapter expires January 1, 2027. SUBCHAPTER B. POWER AND DUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES IN RENAMING GULF OF MEXICO TO GULF OF AMERICA Sec. 2063.051. DEADLINE TO RENAME. Requires each state agency, not later than April 1, 2026, to change each reference to the "Gulf of Mexico" in the state agency's rules, policies, and other materials to the "Gulf to America." Sec. 2063.052. PRIORITY RENAMING. Requires a state agency to 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 certain matters involving the Gulf of America region. Sec. 2063.053. RULEMAKING. (a) Requires a state agency, except as provided by Subsection (b), to adopt, readopt, amend, or repeal the state agency's rules in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 2001 (Administrative Procedure) as necessary to change the references to the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. (b) Provides that 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. Requires a state agency to adopt a plan for performing the state agency's duties under this chapter. Requires that the plan include detailed procedures and documentation of each person's duties under the plan. Sec. 2063.102. COMPLIANCE; DOCUMENTATION OF COSTS. Requires a state agency to ensure that in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter the state agency complies with the requirements of any federal law or executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, the expenditures made for purposes of renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America comply with applicable federal and state laws, and the costs associated with performing the state agency's duties under this chapter are documented. Sec. 2063.103. DATA INTEGRITY AND SECURITY. Requires a state agency to maintain data integrity and security in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter. Sec. 2063.104. FEDERAL COORDINATION AUTHORIZED. Authorizes a state agency to coordinate with any federal officer or agency in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter. Sec. 2063.105. REPORT ON PROGRESS AND DELAYS. (a) Requires each state agency, not later than September 1, 2026, to 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) Provides that this section expires January 1, 2027. SUBCHAPTER D. FUTURE CHANGES TO NAMES Sec. 2063.151. GOVERNOR AUTHORIZED TO ORDER NAME CHANGE. (a) Authorizes the governor by executive order, if federal law or executive order requires governmental entities to rename a place or thing, other than the Gulf of Mexico, to require each state agency to rename the place or thing under procedures similar to the procedures prescribed by this chapter. (b) Authorizes the governor to 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. Sec. 2063.202. INJUNCTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. Authorizes the attorney general to 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. SUBCHAPTER E. ENFORCEMENT Sec. 2063.201. AUDIT BY STATE AUDITOR. (a) Authorizes the state auditor to review as necessary the operations and financial statements of a state agency to ensure the state agency is in compliance with this chapter. (b) Requires the state auditor, after a review conducted under this section, to issue recommendations for corrective actions to the state agency. Sec. 2063.202. INJUNCTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. (a) Authorizes the attorney general to 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. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 311, Government Code, by adding Section 311.007, as follows: Sec. 311.007. REFERENCES TO GULF OF MEXICO. (a) Provides that a reference in law to the Gulf of Mexico is a reference to the Gulf of America. (b) Defines "Gulf of America." SECTION 2.02. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 312, Government Code, by adding Section 312.017, as follows: Sec. 312.017. REFERENCES TO GULF OF MEXICO. (a) Provides that a reference in law to the Gulf of Mexico is a reference to the Gulf of America. (b) Defines "Gulf of America." SECTION 2.03. Requires the Texas Legislative Council to 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. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1410
89R1165 JCG-F By: Campbell
State Affairs
4/3/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1410
89R1165 JCG-F
By: Campbell
State Affairs
4/3/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As proposed, S.B. 1410 amends current law relating to renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to a state agency in SECTION 1.01 (Section 2063.053, Government Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
ARTICLE 1. RENAMING OF TERMS IN STATE AGENCY RULES, POLICIES, AND OTHER MATERIALS
SECTION 1.01 Amends Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, by adding Chapter 2603, as follows:
CHAPTER 2063. RENAMING GULF OF MEXICO AS GULF OF AMERICA
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 2063.001. SHORT TITLE. Authorizes this chapter to be cited as the Renaming of the Gulf of Mexico for State Agency Consistency Act.
Sec. 2063.002. PURPOSE. Provides that 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. Provides that 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. Defines "state agency."
Sec. 2063.004. NO IMPAIRMENT ON LAW, RULES, OR PROCEEDINGS INTENDED. Provides that nothing in this chapter is authorized to 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. Provides that 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) Requires the governor, not later than January 1, 2026, in collaboration with the secretary of state, to:
(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) Requires that the period of public comment required by Subsection (a) be at least 30 days.
(c) Authorizes state agencies and political subdivisions to provide commentary under this section identifying and addressing any potential challenges to the implementation of this chapter.
Sec. 2063.032. EXPIRATION. Provides that this subchapter expires January 1, 2027.
SUBCHAPTER B. POWER AND DUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES IN RENAMING GULF OF MEXICO TO GULF OF AMERICA
Sec. 2063.051. DEADLINE TO RENAME. Requires each state agency, not later than April 1, 2026, to change each reference to the "Gulf of Mexico" in the state agency's rules, policies, and other materials to the "Gulf to America."
Sec. 2063.052. PRIORITY RENAMING. Requires a state agency to 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 certain matters involving the Gulf of America region.
Sec. 2063.053. RULEMAKING. (a) Requires a state agency, except as provided by Subsection (b), to adopt, readopt, amend, or repeal the state agency's rules in accordance with the procedures of Chapter 2001 (Administrative Procedure) as necessary to change the references to the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
(b) Provides that 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. Requires a state agency to adopt a plan for performing the state agency's duties under this chapter. Requires that the plan include detailed procedures and documentation of each person's duties under the plan.
Sec. 2063.102. COMPLIANCE; DOCUMENTATION OF COSTS. Requires a state agency to ensure that in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter the state agency complies with the requirements of any federal law or executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, the expenditures made for purposes of renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America comply with applicable federal and state laws, and the costs associated with performing the state agency's duties under this chapter are documented.
Sec. 2063.103. DATA INTEGRITY AND SECURITY. Requires a state agency to maintain data integrity and security in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter.
Sec. 2063.104. FEDERAL COORDINATION AUTHORIZED. Authorizes a state agency to coordinate with any federal officer or agency in performing the state agency's duties under this chapter.
Sec. 2063.105. REPORT ON PROGRESS AND DELAYS. (a) Requires each state agency, not later than September 1, 2026, to 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) Provides that this section expires January 1, 2027.
SUBCHAPTER D. FUTURE CHANGES TO NAMES
Sec. 2063.151. GOVERNOR AUTHORIZED TO ORDER NAME CHANGE. (a) Authorizes the governor by executive order, if federal law or executive order requires governmental entities to rename a place or thing, other than the Gulf of Mexico, to require each state agency to rename the place or thing under procedures similar to the procedures prescribed by this chapter.
(b) Authorizes the governor to 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.
Sec. 2063.202. INJUNCTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. Authorizes the attorney general to 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.
SUBCHAPTER E. ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 2063.201. AUDIT BY STATE AUDITOR. (a) Authorizes the state auditor to review as necessary the operations and financial statements of a state agency to ensure the state agency is in compliance with this chapter.
(b) Requires the state auditor, after a review conducted under this section, to issue recommendations for corrective actions to the state agency.
Sec. 2063.202. INJUNCTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. (a) Authorizes the attorney general to 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. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 311, Government Code, by adding Section 311.007, as follows:
Sec. 311.007. REFERENCES TO GULF OF MEXICO. (a) Provides that a reference in law to the Gulf of Mexico is a reference to the Gulf of America.
(b) Defines "Gulf of America."
SECTION 2.02. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 312, Government Code, by adding Section 312.017, as follows:
Sec. 312.017. REFERENCES TO GULF OF MEXICO. (a) Provides that a reference in law to the Gulf of Mexico is a reference to the Gulf of America.
(b) Defines "Gulf of America."
SECTION 2.03. Requires the Texas Legislative Council to 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. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.