shrug-l: Geospatial Data Act of 2017 - URISA issues position.

[Butgereit, Richard]

Following up from this thread from last summer - yesterday, ambitious new federal legislation was introduced that will would fill longstanding governance gaps in the world of GIS...

A pair of bills - S. 2128<https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2128/actions?r=9> and H.R. 4395<https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4395?r=34>, also known as the Geospatial Data Act - were highlighted by group of leaders at a GIS Day<http://statescoop.com/on-gis-day-leaders-call-collaboration-a-civic-duty> reception in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for their potential to complete work that has been underway for nearly a quarter-century. Any previous controversy<http://statescoop.com/gis-industry-remains-at-odds-over-geospatial-data-act> with the legislation's contents appeared to have dissipated as leaders from the American Association of Geographers (AAG) and the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) noted the power the legislation would wield if written into law.

Read more about it here -- http://statescoop.com/congress-introduces-geospatial-data-act-to-the-delight-of-gis-advocates

And here -- https://www.nsgic.org/gis-day-marks-reintroduction-of-geospatial-data-act

Great work by AAG, URISA, NSGIC, and other geospatial coalitions!

Thanks,
Richard Butgereit, GISP, CIO
richard.butgereit at em.myflorida.com<mailto:richard.butgereit at em.myflorida.com>
o - 850-815-4701
m - 850-778-6642

From: Butgereit, Richard
Sent: Thursday, July 6, 2017 2:44 PM
To: Tripp Corbin <tcorbin at egisassociates.com>
Cc: shrug-L at lists.dep.state.fl.us
Subject: RE: shrug-l: Geospatial Data Act of 2017 - URISA issues position.

Note that the National States Geographic Information Council has already worked with the bill's sponsors to address what we believe is a misconception by some.

New language has been crafted clarifying the intent for those who had concern about it, and surely the bill will be stronger for it.

You may see this more information -- https://www.nsgic.org/nsgic-stands-behind-geospatial-data-act

Thanks,
Richard Butgereit, GISP, CIO FDEM
richard.butgereit at em.myflorida.com<blocked::mailto:richard.butgereit at em.myflorida.com>
850-815-4701

From: SHRUG-L [mailto:shrug-l-bounces at lists.dep.state.fl.us] On Behalf Of Tripp Corbin
Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2017 10:57 AM
To: shrug-L at lists.dep.state.fl.us<mailto:shrug-L at lists.dep.state.fl.us>
Subject: shrug-l: Geospatial Data Act of 2017 - URISA issues position.

Part of URISA's<http://www.urisa.org/main/advocacy/> mandate is to protect, promote and grow the GIS profession. That includes monitoring and reacting to any possible negative impacts to our members' livelihood and the GIS community in general. This year we have seen an increasing number of such issues.

The other week, there was an explosion of discussion and concern over Geospatial Data Act of 2017 (S.1253) which was co-sponsored by Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dean Heller (R-NV) and Mark Warner (D-VA). The concern is over some of the wording which would appear to define much of the work we do in GIS as to require a professional license. URISA's Policy Advisory Committee has been actively debating and developed a position statement which the Board just approved. Take some time to read through the full text of the bill along with the URISA Board's position.

  *   Full text of Senate Bill S.1253<https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1253/text>

  *   URISA's Position<http://www.urisa.org/clientuploads/directory/Documents/Advocacy/Senate%20Bill%20S1253%20URISA%20Response.pdf>
There will certainly be more discussion on this issue. URISA is monitoring it very closely. If issues like this concern you, I encourage you to join URISA if you are not already a member. There is power in numbers. Stay engaged! Click here<http://www.urisa.org/main/membership/> to join.

Tripp Corbin, CFM, GISP
President
URISA
www.urisa.org<http://www.urisa.org>

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