Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle) for her leadership.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 900, the Sinkhole Mapping Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation which I introduced with my fellow Floridian, Gus Bilirakis.

Mr. Speaker, sinkholes pose a significant problem for Florida and many States, yet we don't have a comprehensive mapping system to help first responders and community planners, as was mentioned by our chairman, Chairman Westerman. I thank him for bringing this bill today.

Sinkholes cost over $300 million a year. We see that in Florida homes, community centers, and businesses being affected by this. Having a database that displays potential sinkholes in our Sunshine State and across the Nation would absolutely be critical. That is what this bill does.

This bill directs the U.S. Geological Survey to study the short- and long-term mechanisms that trigger sinkholes. This includes extreme storms, prolonged droughts, shifts in water management practices, ongoing aquifer depletion, and other major water uses. It is all about having a public website displaying maps depicting zones at greater risk of sinkhole formation, helping save lives and helping us have more resilient communities.

I thank Chairman Westerman, Ranking Members Huffman and Hoyle, as well as Representatives Bilirakis, Frost, Castor, Wilson, Costa, Harder, Fitzpatrick, and Bell for joining me.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

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