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House committee reports bill to rename Gulf of Mexico after heated testimony
Summary
The House Government Operations Committee voted 3-2 to report House Bill 4244, which would require referring to the body of water as the "Gulf of America," after supporters argued the change would promote patriotism and opponents raised legal and practical questions. Several amendments to narrow or clarify the bill failed.
The House Committee on Government Operations voted 3-2 to report House Bill 4244 with recommendation after about an hour of testimony and debate, sending the measure to the full House for further consideration.
Supporters framed the measure as a symbolic change meant to promote pride, while opponents and some committee members questioned its scope and legal effect. The measure drew amendments aimed at narrowing its reach and clarifying enforcement and cost responsibilities; all proposed amendments failed on roll-call votes.
Representative Baddock, the bill sponsor, introduced HB 4244 for consideration before the committee. A public witness who spoke in favor said the change was aimed at children and veterans and argued renaming would foster patriotism. "We're not doing this for the retired communist college professors. We're doing this for the families and the kids who gaze upon the great Gulf Of America and put their toes in the water," the witness said.
Committee members debated five amendments. Representative Fitzgerald offered an amendment to allow state officials, when communicating with non-Michiganders especially outside the U.S., discretion to use "Gulf of Mexico" in communications by adding a parenthetical phrase such as "formerly named the Gulf of Mexico." Fitzgerald said the amendment was intended to avoid reputational harm when communicating with audiences unfamiliar with the state's preferred term. The amendment failed on a 3-2 roll call.
Fitzgerald also proposed an amendment to allow local public bodies to seek state reimbursement for costs of compliance; Representative McFall offered multiple amendments to limit enforcement where costs would rise, to preserve historical uses, and to make the act non-enforceable if an executive order that had made the prior change were repealed. Each amendment was put to roll call and failed, with votes reported by the clerk as 3 nays and 2 yays on each.
A question from a committee member, identified in the transcript as Robert Fall, pressed a witness on whether Michigan "owns" the Gulf; the witness replied, "We own two thirds of the Gulf Of America. One third of it belongs to Mexico, if you measure the coastline." That factual claim was recorded in testimony but not substantiated during the hearing.
After debate the vice chair moved to report the bill. The clerk recorded the vote as 3 ayes and 2 nays; the motion prevailed and HB 4244 was reported with recommendation.
The bill now moves to the next House steps for scheduling and floor consideration. No effective date or implementation details beyond the text considered in committee were adopted during the hearing.
