Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-900
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Introduced: 2025-01-31
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Emergency planning and evacuation

Geography and mapping

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Natural disasters

Water use and supply
Latest action: action_date: 2025-07-15
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Summaries:
action_date: 2025-01-31
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025</strong></p><p>This bill directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)&nbsp;to establish a program to</p><ul><li>study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and</li><li>develop maps, using three-dimensional elevation data, that depict zones that are at greater risk of forming sinkholes.</li></ul><p>The USGS&nbsp;must establish a public website that displays such maps and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 900 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 15, 2025 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources AN ACT To direct the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a program to map zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 . 2. Sinkhole hazard identification (a) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purpose, the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a program to— (1) study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and (2) develop maps that depict zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation. (b) Use of certain data In developing maps under subsection (a)(2), the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall utilize 3D elevation data (as that term is defined in section 2 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3101 )) collected pursuant to section 5 of that Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104 ). (c) Review of maps Once during each 5-year period, or more often as the Director of the United States Geological Survey determines is necessary, the Director shall assess the need to revise and update the maps developed under this section. (d) Website The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish and maintain a public website that displays the maps developed under this section and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.

Passed the House of Representatives July 14, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 900 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a program to map zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 . 2. Sinkhole hazard identification (a) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purpose, the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a program to— (1) study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and (2) develop maps that depict zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation. (b) Use of certain data In developing maps under subsection (a)(2), the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall utilize 3D elevation data (as that term is defined in section 2 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3101 )) collected pursuant to section 5 of that Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104 ). (c) Review of maps Once during each 5-year period, or more often as the Director of the United States Geological Survey determines is necessary, the Director shall assess the need to revise and update the maps developed under this section. (d) Website The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish and maintain a public website that displays the maps developed under this section and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.

Passed the House of Representatives July 14, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 147 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 900 [Report No. 119–182] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 31, 2025 Mr. Soto (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis , Mr. Frost , Ms. Castor of Florida , and Ms. Wilson of Florida ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources July 2, 2025 Additional sponsors: Mr. Costa , Mr. Harder of California , Mr. Fitzpatrick , and Mr. Bell July 2, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 31, 2025 A BILL To direct the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a program to map zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 . 2. Sinkhole hazard identification (a) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purpose, the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a program to— (1) study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and (2) develop maps that depict zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation. (b) Use of certain data In developing maps under subsection (a)(2), the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall utilize 3D elevation data (as that term is defined in section 2 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3101 )) collected pursuant to section 5 of that Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104 ). (c) Review of maps Once during each 5-year period, or more often as the Director of the United States Geological Survey determines is necessary, the Director shall assess the need to revise and update the maps developed under this section. (d) Website The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish and maintain a public website that displays the maps developed under this section and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.

July 2, 2025 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 900 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 31, 2025 Mr. Soto (for himself, Mr. Bilirakis , Mr. Frost , Ms. Castor of Florida , and Ms. Wilson of Florida ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a program to map zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 . 2. Sinkhole hazard identification (a) In general The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a program to— (1) study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and (2) develop maps that depict zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation. (b) Use of certain data In developing maps under subsection (a)(2), the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall utilize 3D elevation data (as that term is defined in section 2 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3101 )) collected pursuant to section 5 of that Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104 ). (c) Review of maps Once during each 5-year period, or more often as the Director of the United States Geological Survey determines is necessary, the Director shall assess the need to revise and update the maps developed under this section. (d) Website The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish and maintain a public website that displays the maps developed under this section and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.