The Florida House of Representatives has advanced a bill that seeks to recognize Judea and Samaria and prohibit the use of the term “West Bank” in official government materials.
Two almost identical bills, both of which are called the ‘Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act,’ have been introduced.
One, CS/HB 31, was introduced to the Florida House and sponsored by Debra Tendrich and Chase Tramont, and a second, SB 1106, is the Senate companion bill introduced by a senator (Ralph Massullo) to the Florida Senate.
In state legislatures (like Florida’s), it is common for the same policy idea to be filed in both chambers – one as a House bill and one as a Senate bill – as it gives the proposal more chances to pass and essentially expedites the process.
As such, the House and Senate versions were drafted to match so that if both pass their chambers, one text can be agreed on in conference committees or through amendments.
Both bills intend to amend legislation to refer to the region by the name Judea and Samaria and not “West Bank” in official materials. Such materials would include guidance, rules, documents, press releases, and the like.
The bill, if passed, will also prohibit money being spent to create official government materials with the term West Bank. It would come into effect on July 1, 2026.
Bill receives almost unanimous pro-votes
In the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Tuesday, the bill received 16 yes votes and only one no, meaning it was adopted.
The committee made some changes, removing a provision authorizing state agencies to use the term “West Bank” under specified conditions and also removing the requirement that instructional materials and library collections acquired on or after July 1, 2026, use “Judea and Samaria” instead of “West Bank.”
The proposal will now be considered and voted on at the State Affairs committee.
“The last thing you want to do is insult your constituency, and you want your trading partners to respect you,” said Tramont. “It’s hard to respect you if you dishonor their history.”
“Words matter, and as a history teacher, I think we should teach facts – not politically charged propaganda,” Tramont added.
“Judea and Samaria are names that are 3,000 years old. The West Bank was just given in 1950 after it was occupied by Jordan for a while. And why was it given that name? Simply to erase Jewish history.”