Overview
- The House approved HB 31 on a 92–14 vote after limited floor debate.
- The measure directs state agencies and public K–12 materials adopted or acquired on or after July 1 to use “Judea and Samaria,” phasing out “West Bank” as new resources are selected.
- The bill is co-sponsored by Democratic Rep. Debra Tendrich and Republican Rep. Chase Tramont, with all present Republicans in favor and about two-thirds of Democrats opposed.
- Supporters frame the change as restoring Jewish historical terminology and countering erasure, while opponents warn of state-level foreign-policy messaging, educator censorship concerns and strain on Muslim and Palestinian communities.
- International bodies and the U.S. government commonly use “West Bank” and do not recognize Israeli sovereignty there, with roughly 3 million Palestinians and about half a million Israeli settlers living in the territory.