Florida rules committee advances bill that would let state name major airports, including renaming Palm Beach airport for Donald J. Trump

Senator Brian Mayfield presented CS for SB 706 to the Senate Rules Committee, telling members the bill preempts the naming of major commercial service airports to the state and lists seven airports that currently fit the Federal Aviation Administration’s medium-or-large-hub definition. Mayfield said the Palm Beach International Airport designation as the Donald J. Trump International Airport would be “subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, execution of an agreement between Palm Beach County and the trademark holder” and that “there is no cost to the airport to make this name change.”

The bill drew immediate debate over precedent and the role of local governments. Senator Alecia Berman, whose district includes Palm Beach County, said county commissioners and residents had not had an opportunity to weigh in and urged a referendum or local process. “The county commissioners have not had an opportunity to weigh in, nor have the citizens who live in Palm Beach County,” Berman said.

Senator Jones filed an amendment to bar a private trademark holder from collecting royalties or licensing fees from merchandise sold using the airport name; she argued the change raised ethical concerns about a sitting president’s private company profiting from a public entity. “The president should not ... receive personal monetary benefits from a public entity while serving as the president of the United States,” Senator Jones said when explaining her amendment. Jones’s amendment to the amendment failed, and the main amendment that would rename the Palm Beach airport was adopted.

Senator Osgood said public honors should reflect unity and high standards. “Public honors must reflect our higher standards of character, unity, and respect,” she said in explaining her opposition to naming an airport after a living, divisive figure.

Senator Mayfield told colleagues the naming agreement had been negotiated with Palm Beach County and the Trump family and emphasized the legislative process was the legal mechanism to change a name. The sponsor and supporters also said the renaming would require the airport’s and the FAA’s approval and an executed commercial agreement with the trademark holder before the state-specified name could be implemented.

Action: The committee adopted the sponsor’s amendment designating the Palm Beach airport name and then reported CS for SB 706 favorably to the next committee/floor. The bill text retains a requirement that any name change be implemented only after FAA approval and execution of a license/merchandising agreement between the county and the trademark holder, and allows a reasonable local implementation period.

What’s next: CS for SB 706 was reported favorably by the Rules Committee and will move to the next stage of the process. The name change remains conditioned on FAA approval and any required agreement between Palm Beach County and the trademark holder; local officials and residents may pursue public engagement or legal options in subsequent steps.

Speakers (attributed in text): Senator Brian Mayfield (bill sponsor), Senator Jones (author of amendment), Senator Alecia Berman, Senator Osgood.

Authorities referenced in the hearing: Federal Aviation Administration (referenced by sponsor as the agency that must approve airport-name changes).