Congresswoman Kathy Castor recently filed legislation essential to Florida and other states impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Tampa Democrat's bill, if passed, would see to it that most of the money expected to be paid out by BP in fines and penalties would go to Gulf Coast states and not be diverted to other parts of the country.

This only makes sense, since the Gulf states have suffered most from the environmental and economic damage caused by the spill. Panhandle beaches and points west are being restored and the tar washed ashore removed, but it remains unclear the precise impact on fisheries and sea grasses.

Some fishermen and hoteliers, meanwhile, have gone under or taken tremendous economic hits as Americans changed vacation plans to avoid the predicted damage. Across the country people have stopped buying Gulf shrimp, oysters and game fish, even though tests have, for the most part, indicated most of the catch is safe. The Gulf Coast "brand" has been damaged.

But Castor's bill would help pay for the efforts of the Gulf Coast states affected by the spill â Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana â to rebrand the region. The message is simple: The beaches are beautiful, the water clean and the food safe.

Under the bill, the states would develop their own recovery plans and could expect to divide 80 percent of the $5 billion to $20 billion federal experts predict BP will pay out.

In addition to advertising, the money would go to sustain fishermen who have lost their jobs and reimburse hotels for canceled visits. It would be used to facilitate continuing academic research, helping schools like the University of South Florida study the long-term effects of the spill. The university has played a major role already tracking surface and subsurface oil plumes.

The legislation creates a fund that is different from the $20 billion fund managed by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility presided over by lawyer Kenneth Feinberg, who has been criticized by individuals and businesses for moving too slowly and being stingy. As one paper reported, "Many claimants say they've been made to feel like beggars."

Castor, whose work on behalf of Florida during the spill has been notable, also advises Florida to be well prepared to make a claim for the loss of tax revenues that resulted from the spill, because other coastal states are. But that's up to state government.

In Congress, Castor's Gulf of Mexico Environmental and Recovery Act would divert money to the states that need it the most. Castor needs a Senate sponsor. Sen. Bill Nelson and Sen.-elect Marco Rubio should sign on.