TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bipartisan effort is underway in Florida to honor the legacy of singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett.

What You Need To Know

  • Two different bills are pitching the idea — though they differ on details

  • One proposal is sponsored by Minority Leader Lauren Book, the Senate’s top Democrat

  • The legislative suggestion comes after Jimmy Buffett’s death earlier this year

Two bills filed ahead of the upcoming legislative session would rename portions of a to-be-determined highway in after Buffett.

The tropical music rockstar passed away in September, leaving behind a legacy of record hits including “Margaritaville” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” 

“Our state is a better place because of his passion, commitment and creativity,” said Senator Minority Leader Lauren Book, a Davie Democrat. “This is about preserving a piece of our cultural history for generations to come.”

Book’s proposal would rename a “significant portion” of the Overseas Highway as the “Jimmy Buffett Highway.” In all, the Overseas Highway stretches 113 miles from Key Largo to Key West and features 42 leapfrogging bridges. 

A separate Republican proposal, meanwhile, would designate all if not portions of State Road A1A as the “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.” State Road A1A is a 338-mile stretch of coastal highway running from Jacksonville to Key West. 

If signed into law, the renamed highway would travel through several counties, according to the bill. Among them: Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Duval and Nassau. 

The bill says the Florida Department of Transportation must dedicate markers honoring Buffett by August 30, 2024 if the measure is signed into law. Republican Representative Chuck Clemons of Newberry is the bill sponsor. 

Florida and Buffett share a long and warm history. He was inducted in 2000 into Florida’s Artists Hall of Fame. According to the Florida Department of State, the Artists Hall of Fame is reserved for “individuals (who) contribute to Florida’s national or international reputation as a state with a strong and sustained commitment toward the development of cultural excellence.”

Buffett died on Sept. 1 of skin cancer at his New York home in Sag Harbor. He was 76. Gov. Ron DeSantis recognized Buffett’s passing on Sept 8, ordering flags throughout the state to half staff beginning at 5 p.m.

Why 5 p.m.? 

“... because it’s always five o’clock somewhere,” wrote DeSantis in the order, giving a nod to one of Buffett’s hit songs.