BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.J.R. 63 By: Middleton State Affairs 4/4/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order officially renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, declaring the region "an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and an indelible part of America." In response, S.J.R. 63 seeks to align the Texas Constitution with this federal directive by updating all references to the "Gulf of Mexico" to now read the "Gulf of America." This resolution ensures Texas law reflects the new federal terminology and reinforces the state's recognition of the region's national importance. By adopting consistent language throughout the Texas Constitution, S.J.R 63 supports state-federal alignment. S.J.R. 63 proposes a constitutional amendment regarding the terminology used in the Texas Constitution to refer to the partially landlocked body of water on the southeastern periphery of the North American continent. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 33, Article I, Texas Constitution, as follows: Sec. 33. PUBLIC ACCESS TO AND USE OF PUBLIC BEACHES. (a) Changes references to "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America." SECTION 2. Amends Section 1-i, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, to make conforming changes. SECTION 3. Amends Section 1-A, Article IX, Texas Constitution, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Amends Section 7, Article XI, Texas Constitution, as follows: Sec. 7. New heading: COUNTIES AND CITIES ON GULF OF AMERICA; TAX FOR SEA WALLS, BREAKWATERS, AND SANITATION; BONDS; CONDEMNATION OF RIGHT OF WAY. Makes a conforming change to this section. SECTION 5. Requires that the proposed constitutional amendment be submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 4, 2025. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.J.R. 63
By: Middleton
State Affairs
4/4/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.J.R. 63
By: Middleton
State Affairs
4/4/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order officially renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, declaring the region "an integral asset to our once burgeoning Nation and an indelible part of America." In response, S.J.R. 63 seeks to align the Texas Constitution with this federal directive by updating all references to the "Gulf of Mexico" to now read the "Gulf of America."
This resolution ensures Texas law reflects the new federal terminology and reinforces the state's recognition of the region's national importance. By adopting consistent language throughout the Texas Constitution, S.J.R 63 supports state-federal alignment.
S.J.R. 63 proposes a constitutional amendment regarding the terminology used in the Texas Constitution to refer to the partially landlocked body of water on the southeastern periphery of the North American continent.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 33, Article I, Texas Constitution, as follows:
Sec. 33. PUBLIC ACCESS TO AND USE OF PUBLIC BEACHES. (a) Changes references to "Gulf of Mexico" to "Gulf of America."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 1-i, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 1-A, Article IX, Texas Constitution, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 7, Article XI, Texas Constitution, as follows:
Sec. 7. New heading: COUNTIES AND CITIES ON GULF OF AMERICA; TAX FOR SEA WALLS, BREAKWATERS, AND SANITATION; BONDS; CONDEMNATION OF RIGHT OF WAY. Makes a conforming change to this section.
SECTION 5. Requires that the proposed constitutional amendment be submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 4, 2025. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.