HB2 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

David StandridgeRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB2 would rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and require Alabama state and local entities to use the new name and update materials where practicable.

What This Bill Does

In Alabama, the body of water along the coast would officially be called the Gulf of America, and references to the Gulf of Mexico would be treated as Gulf of America. Beginning October 1, 2025, state and local entities and their employees must refer to the Gulf of America and reflect the new term in maps, documents, educational materials, websites, and official communications, updating existing resources where practicable and only if not unduly burdensome. Public K-12 schools and public colleges/universities may use the term Gulf of Mexico in historical or instructional contexts, and the act would take full effect on October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• State and local government entities and their employees: required to refer to the Gulf of America and to update maps, documents, materials, websites, and official communications to reflect the new name, beginning October 1, 2025 and continuing; updates allowed only where practicable and not causing undue burden.
• Public K-12 schools and public institutions of higher education: allowed to use the term Gulf of Mexico in historical or instructional contexts, not required to rename for coursework.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Official rename—the Gulf of Mexico is renamed to the 'Gulf of America' for all purposes in Alabama; references to Gulf of Mexico are to be treated as Gulf of America.
• Section 2: Naming and updates—starting October 1, 2025, state/local entities and their employees must use the Gulf of America and reflect it in new maps, documents, educational materials, websites, and official communications; update pre-existing resources where practicable; exemption if compliance would create operational or financial burden.
• Section 3: Historical instruction exception—public K-12 schools and public higher education institutions may use Gulf of Mexico in historical or instructional contexts when reasonable.
• Section 4: Effective date—the act becomes fully effective on October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 11, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Government Administration