Overview

• Rep. Chase Tramont filed HB 31 this week to prohibit state agencies from using the term “West Bank” in official materials and to block spending on items that use the term.
• The bill directs Florida documents to label areas south of Jerusalem as “Judea” and areas north of Jerusalem as “Samaria.”
• An agency head could waive the restriction if it is in the state’s best interest, with a written explanation due to the Senate president and House speaker within 30 days.
• Tramont frames the measure as support for Israel and criticizes U.N. genocide allegations, also rebuking countries that recognize Palestinian statehood.
• The proposal mirrors Republican-backed federal efforts promoted by Sen. Tom Cotton and Rep. Claudia Tenney and reflects similar moves in Israel’s Knesset, and it has not advanced to a vote in Florida.