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SCR 45

Recognizing the 10-mile coastal zone off the gulf coast that Texas has sovereignty over as the "Gulf of Texas."

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Brandon Creighton and 1 co-sponsor

Texas concurrent resolution designating the state's 10-mile coastal gulf zone the "Gulf of Texas," a symbolic naming measure with no change to existing state sovereignty.

Referred to State Affairs
#gulfoftexas(gw9vs) #resolutions--legislativepolicy(i0685) #resolutions--memorializingcongress(i0675)
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Bill Summary · SCR 45

Legislative bill overview

SCR 45 is a concurrent resolution that would officially designate Texas's 10.36-mile coastal zone in the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of Texas." The measure is largely symbolic, as Texas already exercises sovereignty over this water territory under existing federal law; the bill simply assigns an official name to this jurisdiction.

Why is this important

This symbolic designation could enhance state identity and may have minor implications for branding, tourism, and state pride. However, the practical legal and administrative impact is minimal since Texas's authority over these waters is already established under the Submerged Lands Act of 1953, which grants coastal states control over resources within this zone.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal-state relations: Some may view renaming as an unnecessary assertion of sovereignty or question whether it could complicate federal-state coordination on maritime matters, though the resolution itself has no legal force to change existing arrangements
  • Precedent concerns: Critics might worry this opens the door to other symbolic territorial claims or rebranding efforts that could create confusion in federal maritime law and international waters discourse
  • Questionable utility: Opponents may argue the legislature should focus on substantive policy rather than symbolic gestures, particularly given the measure's purely ceremonial nature

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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