Republican Sarasota Senator Joe Gruters filed SB 1058 to change Tamiami Trail, which runs from Tampa to Miami, to Gulf of America Trail. But James M. Denham, a history professor at Florida Southern College, says a name change may lead to a loss of history.

Three Republican-controlled House and Senate panels gave initial approval to bills aimed at moving to rename the Gulf of Mexico.

Just weeks after Gov. Ron DeSantis first used the term in a state document, legislation designating the Gulf of America advance in the Legislature.

Florida state lawmakers have taken the first steps to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in state documents and educational materials.