A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.

119th Congress Introduced by Maria Cantwell and 3 co-sponsors

The resolution urges nationwide safe digging by calling homeowners and excavators to contact 811 before digging and to use paint or flags to mark buried utilities.

Introduced in Senate

Summary of SRES 160 — A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month

Overview

Type: Senate Resolution (SRES 160)

Title: A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month

Status: Introduced in the Senate

Introduced: April 7, 2025

Nature: Non-binding resolution (expresses support and encouragement, not a law)

Purpose

SRES 160 expresses the Senate’s support for National Safe Digging Month and urges actions to promote safe digging practices nationwide. The resolution aims to raise awareness about the importance of locating underground utilities before digging and to encourage broad education and outreach on this safety topic.

Key Provisions

The version content of the resolution includes three principal provisions:
1. The Senate supports the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.
2. The Senate encourages all homeowners and excavators in the United States to contact 811 by phone or online before digging.
3. The Senate encourages all damage prevention stakeholders to help educate homeowners and excavators about the importance of contacting 811 and having the approximate location of buried utilities marked with paint or flags before digging.

Affected Parties

Homeowners and excavators nationwide (through encouragement to contact 811 prior to digging)

Damage prevention stakeholders (e.g., utility owners, contractors, safety organizations) responsible for education and outreach

General public, particularly individuals planning digging projects (gardening, construction, landscaping)

Procedural History and Timeline

2025-04-07: Introduced in the Senate.

2025-04-07: Considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent; text reported in the Congressional Record as CR S2458-S2459.

The actions indicate a unanimous, non-controversial passage of the resolution in the Senate, consolidating its status as a symbol of support and a call to action rather than a change in law.

Potential Impact

Non-binding stance that may influence public messaging and outreach campaigns about digging safety.

Encourages widespread adoption of 811 contact-before-dig practices and the use of paint/flags to mark buried utilities, potentially reducing damage to underground infrastructure and preventing injuries.

Could foster greater collaboration among homeowners, excavators, and damage prevention stakeholders in educational efforts.

Context

National Safe Digging Month is an annual awareness effort in April focused on preventing damage to underground utilities.

811 is the nationwide request-before-you-dig service that helps mark buried utilities to prevent strikes.

Note: As a resolution, SRES 160 does not create new legal requirements or funding; it serves to endorse, promote awareness, and encourage voluntary compliance with existing safety practices.