Wittman Earth-mapping bill advances in U.S. House committee

Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) to continue a federal geological mapping program advanced Sept. 15 during a meeting of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources.

The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026, H.R. 9640, would continue the U.S. Geological Survey's Earth Mapping Resources Initiative through 2031. The program maps and studies domestic mineral resources and also collects information about geothermal resources, groundwater and geologic hazards.

The legislation also would expand work involving geologic hydrogen and advanced sensing and data technologies.