HOUSE BILL 340

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Janice E. Arnold-Jones

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO GEOSPATIAL RESOURCES; ENACTING THE GEOSPATIAL RESOURCES ACT; CREATING THE GEOSPATIAL RESOURCES PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO'S EARTH DATA ANALYSIS CENTER; CREATING AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE; PROVIDING POWERS AND DUTIES; REQUIRING A STATEWIDE, LONG-RANGE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM STRATEGIC PLAN; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Geospatial Resources Act".

     Section 2. PURPOSE.--The purpose of the Geospatial Resources Act is to facilitate the sharing of geospatial data crucial to addressing cross-jurisdictional issues, including responding to emergencies; making effective public policy decisions at state and local levels; providing direction on the best location for businesses and industries, schools and hospitals and other public and private services; and managing a wide range of environmental concerns such as forest fire and drought conditions.

     Section 3. GEOSPATIAL RESOURCES PROGRAM ESTABLISHED--PURPOSE--PROGRAM MANAGER.--

          A. The "geospatial resources program" is created in the earth data analysis center of the university of New Mexico. The program shall serve as a collaborative center of geospatial expertise that centralizes the process for:

                (1) coordinating, acquiring, managing, maintaining and delivering geospatial data to state, local and federal agencies, institutions and instrumentalities and the private sector;

                (2) providing online access to geospatial data clearinghouses, distributed data resources and mapping services for state, local and federal agencies, institutions and instrumentalities and the private sector; and

                (3) coordinating pilot and prototype geospatial mapping projects in conjunction with state, local and federal agencies, institutions and instrumentalities and the private sector.

          B. The vice president for research and economic development of the university of New Mexico shall appoint the manager of the geospatial resources program from a list of names provided by the geospatial resources advisory committee. The manager shall be responsible for the administration and operation of the program.

     Section 4. GEOSPATIAL RESOURCES PROGRAM--POWERS AND DUTIES.--

          A. The geospatial resources program shall:

                (1) develop and maintain, in cooperation with state, local and tribal governments, universities and geospatial experts, a statewide, long-range geographic information system strategic plan;

                (2) coordinate geographic information system projects among state and local agencies, institutions and instrumentalities and provide mapping support services to those agencies, institutions and instrumentalities as needed;

                (3) collaborate with federal, state and local agencies, institutions and instrumentalities and private sector entities to coordinate geospatial data acquisition;

                (4) serve as the primary repository of geospatial data in the state;

                (5) create and maintain a digital map library and inventory of maps and aerial photographs of the state;

                (6) maintain a comprehensive inventory and index of public domain spatial data sets;

                (7) coordinate and facilitate statewide geographic information system training opportunities, outreach and technical support programs for state and local agencies, institutions and instrumentalities;

                (8) implement systems that are compliant with web-based standards and technologies as appropriate;

                (9) identify, establish and coordinate the implementation of state geospatial standards; and

                (10) submit an annual report to the information technology commission. 

          B. The geospatial resources program may:

                (1) enter into contracts and agreements, including joint powers agreements, with public or private entities to share or provide geospatial data and services;

                (2) coordinate geospatial projects with federal agencies and private entities; and

                (3) combine and leverage federal, state, local and private funds to carry out the purposes of the program.

          C. Money collected from fees and charges for services performed by the geospatial resources program shall be retained by the program and budgeted for future expenditure.

     Section 5. GEOSPATIAL RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.--

          A. The "geospatial resources advisory committee" is created and administratively attached to the office of the chief information officer. The committee consists of nine members appointed by the information technology commission to represent state agencies, local and tribal governments, industries located in New Mexico, state universities and public utility and telecommunications companies. All members of the committee must be knowledgeable in geospatial information technology. Members shall be appointed for staggered three-year terms; provided that in making the initial appointments, three members shall be appointed for one year, three members shall be appointed for two years and three members shall be appointed for three years. Members shall serve until their successors have been appointed and qualified. Members may be reappointed to succeeding terms. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. Members shall serve without compensation.

          B. The committee shall:

                (1) provide guidance and direction to the information technology commission and the geospatial resources program in addressing geospatial issues, including state and federal mandates and conflicting demands; prioritizing geospatial projects; and evaluating recommendations made by the geospatial resources program; and

                (2) meet quarterly with the geospatial resources program manager and other staff of the program to review prioritized requests and proposals made to the program by state and local governments.

     Section 6. APPROPRIATION.--Eight hundred fifty thousand dollars ($850,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of the university of New Mexico for expenditure in fiscal year 2007 to establish and operate the geospatial resources program in the earth data analysis center. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2007 shall revert to the general fund.

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