This amendment officially renames the Gulf of Mexico to the 'Gulf of America' within Alabama and requires state and local government workers to use this new name in their official work starting October 1, 2026.
Alabama2026Enacted
HB2
Gulf of America Act
Last scannedOct 19, 2026, 3:23 AM
In one sentence
This law renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Alabama for all purposes within the state and requires government workers to use the new name starting October 1, 2026.
What it does
- Renames the body of water bordering Alabama from the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for all uses inside the state.
- Requires state and local government employees to call this area the Gulf of America starting October 1, 2026.
- Mandates that new maps, documents, websites, educational materials, official communications, and other resources use the name Gulf of America.
- Asks agencies to update old resources with the new name if it is practical and does not cause a financial or operational burden.
Who it affects
- State and local government entities in Alabama
- Employees working for state and local governments
Limits and unknowns
- Updating old materials is not required if it creates a financial or operational burden for the agency.
- The law only applies to uses within the state of Alabama.
- Public K-12 schools and colleges may still use the term Gulf of Mexico when teaching history.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Gulf of America Act
- The official name given to this law.
- Practicable
- Something that can be done without causing too much trouble or cost, specifically avoiding operational or financial burdens.
Official record
Sources
Read the official summary
This act is the Gulf of America Act. This act: (1) renames the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for all purposes within the state; (2) requires all state and local entities and their employees to refer to the body of water as the Gulf of America, reflect the new name in all newly created maps, documents, educational materials, websites, official communications, and other resources, and make reasonable efforts to update all pre-existing resources where practicable if not an operational or financial burden.
Official activity
Bill history
- EnactedHouse
- Signature RequestedSenate
- Delivered to GovernorHouse
- EnrolledHouse
- Ready to EnrollHouse
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 1009 (Yeas 26, Nays 5)Senate
- Petition To Close Debate- Adopted Roll Call 1008 (Yeas 26, Nays 6)Senate
- Third Reading in Second House (Yeas 26, Nays 7)Senate
- Carried Over to the Call of the ChairSenate
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarSenate
- Reported Out of Committee Second HouseSenate
- Pending Committee Action in Second HouseSenate
- Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on County and Municipal GovernmentSenate
- Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 536 (Yeas 74, Nays 30)House
- Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 535 (Yeas 74, Nays 28)House
- Third Reading in House of Origin (Yeas 74, Nays 30)House
- EngrossedHouse
- State Government Engrossed Substitute OfferedHouse
- Read for the Second Time and placed on the CalendarHouse
- Reported Out of Committee House of OriginHouse
Changes
Amendments
1 stored