H.R. 900

Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025

Sponsor: Darren Soto · 8 cosponsors

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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025

This bill directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish a program to

  • 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
  • develop maps, using three-dimensional elevation data, that depict zones that are at greater risk of forming sinkholes.

The USGS must establish a public website that displays such maps and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.

Text of the bill

Expand all
Sec. 2. Sinkhole hazard identification Changed · Jul 2

Where this section came from

  1. Jan 31, 2025 · Introduced in House
  2. Jul 2, 2025 · Reported in House
What changed in the text

(a) In general. The 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—

… 5 unchanged passages …

(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.