Florida House passes legislation to rename Palm Beach airport after President Trump

The Florida state House of Representatives passed a bill Tuesday afternoon that seeks to rename the Palm Beach County International Airport after President Donald Trump as a companion bill makes its way through the state Senate.

The legislation passed the Republican-led House in an 81-30 split, according to the Florida Phoenix. The renaming effort, if passed by both chambers and signed by Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, could cost as much as $5.5 million.

Republicans in the state's lower chamber said the renaming is to honor Trump's impact on Palm Beach, which has gained prominence because it's the location of the president's Mar-a-Lago resort.  

“Forty years ago, Donald Trump came to Palm Beach County when it was a sleepy little beach town and he bought a defunct property that today serves as the winter White House as a symbol of the power of the United States, which has made Palm Beach one of the most desirable and important locations in the world,” Republican state Rep. John Snyder said.

The Palm Beach County’s department of airports confirmed that renaming the airport after the president would cost $5.5 million because of the cost of designing and producing replacement signs, rebranding equipment, uniform, consumables and promotional items, and various tech and system updates.

The funds for the renaming effort would come from airport revenue unless funding is otherwise designated in one of the two state bills.