A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 673
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-15: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1789-1790; text: CR S1788)
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-22T10:35:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 673) expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month in April. It aims to raise awareness about the risks of damaging underground utility lines (like pipelines, electric, gas, telecom, water, and sewer lines) during digging and promotes calling the nationwide 811 number (a free "One Call" service) to locate these lines before starting any excavation.
Key Provisions
- Supports National Safe Digging Month: Recognizes April as a time to highlight safe digging practices, especially since it's the start of peak excavation season.
- Encourages contacting 811: Urges all homeowners and professional excavators (people or companies digging) across the U.S. to call 811 or use its online service before any digging project.
- Promotes education: Calls on damage prevention groups, states, and the 811 program to educate the public on marking utility locations with paint or flags to avoid accidents.
The resolution includes "Whereas" clauses detailing the problem: unintentional damage from not calling 811 causes service outages, environmental harm, injuries, and deaths; statistics show 25% of damages in 2024 stemmed from no notification, often during fencing or landscaping.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- None: This is a non-binding resolution, not a new law. It references past laws like the 2005 FCC designation of 811 and the 2011 Pipeline Safety Act (which removed exemptions for government diggers), but it does not amend or create enforceable rules.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Could reduce accidents, injuries, deaths, and service disruptions for homeowners and excavators by promoting safer practices.
- On utilities and environment: May lower damage to buried lines, preventing outages and spills.
- On government agencies: Encourages federal (DOT, FCC), state "One Call" systems, and local entities to boost awareness; no new funding or mandates.
- No international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Homeowners and excavators: Directly urged to call 811.
- Utility companies: Benefit from fewer damages to their infrastructure.
- Common Ground Alliance: A group of 4,000 professionals promoting safe digging; their report and campaign are highlighted.
- State and federal agencies: Including DOT, FCC, and state "One Call" centers.
- Contractors and landscapers: Noted for common no-notification damages.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Purely symbolic; carries no force of law or penalties.
- Constitutional: None; resolutions like this are standard congressional expressions of support.
- Political: Bipartisan (sponsored by Sens. Young, Peters, Cruz, Cantwell); passed unanimously in the Senate on April 15, 2026, showing broad agreement on public safety without controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-15: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1789-1790; text: CR S1788)
- 2026-04-15: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Bill Versions
- Supporting the goals and ideals of National Safe Digging Month. — issued 2026-04-15 — PDF (3 pages)