Florida House approves bill to name Palm Beach International for President Donald J. Trump after heated floor debate

Tallahassee — The Florida House on Feb. 17 approved CS/CS/HB 919, a law creating a statutory designation for major commercial service airports and naming Palm Beach International Airport for the sitting president, by a vote of 81–30.

Sponsor Representative Todd Weinberger told the chamber the bill aligns Florida law with federal definitions of medium and large hub airports and standardizes naming authority at the state level. Weinberger said the proposal includes a licensing agreement and that “the president and his family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the proposed airport renaming.”

Opponents argued the measure strips local governments of naming authority, risks costs for taxpayers and could alienate travelers. Representative Anna Harris said the bill “takes away decision making from local communities,” and warned that renaming an airport carries signage, branding and administrative expenses. Representative Amanda Eskamani urged lawmakers to consider the airport as a public, shared space and warned of economic ripple effects if passengers avoid the facility.

Lawmakers offered and debated amendments that would have delayed naming until after the president leaves office and one that would have added John F. Kennedy’s name alongside the proposed designation. Representative Bartleman’s amendment to delay the naming until the president completes his term failed on a voice vote. An amendment to add both names also failed.

Questioning from members focused on whether the renaming involved coordination with the private Trump Organization and on licensing and trademark issues. Representative Skidmore asked whether the sponsor had collaborated with Donald Trump or his company on the use of the word “President.” Weinberger replied, “No,” and later read a statement he said the Trump family provided saying they would waive trademark royalties.

The floor debate was sharply partisan. Representative Leader Driscoll said the president’s “legacy … has left me wanting,” and urged caution; Representative Snyder, who chairs the Palm Beach delegation and supports the bill, spoke about the president’s long-standing ties to the county and urged passage.

Supporters argued the bill honors a Floridian and conforms to precedent for naming public infrastructure. Representative Kendall, referencing past actions, said Florida has previously named public infrastructure for sitting leaders and defended state-level action for airports that have multi-district footprints.

The House adopted the final motion to read the bill a third time and place it on final passage; the clerk announced the recorded vote as 81 yays, 30 nays. The bill now moves to the next legislative steps.

What remains unresolved: members pressed for explicit language on licensing fees and merchandising; while the sponsor said the Trump family agreed to waive royalties, the bill text requires a license agreement allowing Palm Beach County to use the name. The transcript records concerns over whether trademark filings by private entities could create future costs for taxpayers.

Next steps: the House passed the measure and it proceeds through the legislative process toward enactment.