Researcher: JS Page 1 4/21/21
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6647
AN ACT CONCERNING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
SUMMARY
This bill establishes a:
1. Geographic Information Officer position to oversee a new
Geographic Information Systems Office, and its staff, within the
Office of Policy Management (OPM) (§ 2) and
2. Geographic Information Systems Advisory Council (GIS
Council) to consult with OPM on geographic information
system (GIS) matters (§ 1).
The officer is generally responsible for coordinating the collection,
analysis, and accessibility of GIS data. The council is generally
responsible for assisting in making GIS data free and publicly
available.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATI ON OFFICE AND OFFICER
The bill requires the OPM secretary to designate an employee to
serve as a geographic information officer and to oversee a new
Geographic Information Systems Office, which the bill appears to
create within OPM, and its staff. (The bill does not delineate the new
office’s powers.)
The bill requires the information officer to have extensive
knowledge regarding GIS and spatial data, analysis, and related
technology. He or she must also have experience in project
management, administration, policy development, coordinating
services, and planning. 2021HB-06647-R000551-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JS Page 2 4/21/21
The bill makes the information officer responsible for establishing
goals for the office in conjunction with the GIS Council established by
the bill. The goals must be within the scope of the officer’s powers and
duties, which are to:
1. coordinate the collection and compilation of GIS data and
disseminate it to state, local, and regional governmental entities
and others across the state;
2. manage a geospatial data clearinghouse that is publicly
accessible online through the Connecticut Open Data Portal;
3. support economic development efforts by making its data
accessible;
4. provide training and outreach on its data;
5. administer the creation and acquisition of geospatial data,
including aerial imagery and elevation and parcel information;
6. adopt geospatial data standards, guidelines, and procedures to
ensure data consistency and quality; and
7. aggregate and organize existing data sets and create new ones.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATI ON SYSTEMS ADVISORY COUNCIL
Purpose
The bill establishes a GIS Council to consult with the OPM secretary
on matters regarding free and public GIS data (e.g., its procurement,
storage, and distribution). The council must additionally consult with
the secretary on her powers and duties regarding geospatial
information systems under existing law (CGS § 4d-90).
The council must also (1) develop priorities, (2) annually create a
five-year plan, and (3) make recommendations on the priorities and
plan to the OPM secretary.
Membership
Under the bill, the task force consists of fourteen members: 2021HB-06647-R000551-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JS Page 3 4/21/21
1. the OPM secretary and chief data officer, or their designees;
2. four representatives with GIS expertise, one each appointed by
the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection,
Department of Transportation, Department of Emergency
Services and Public Protection, and Department of Public
Health commissioners;
3. two representatives from different regional councils of
governments who have GIS and certain related expertise,
appointed by the Connecticut Association of Councils of
Governments chairperson;
4. two representatives from different municipalities who are
members of the Connecticut GIS Network and have GIS
expertise, appointed by the Connecticut Conference of
Municipalities president;
5. one University of Connecticut representative who has certain
experience providing the state’s geospatial information to
various constituencies, appointed by the university president;
6. one public utility company representative, appointed by the
Public Utility Regulatory Authority chairperson; and
7. two representatives from private companies (other than public
utility companies) who have commercial mapping expertise,
one jointly appointed by the Planning and Development
Committee chairpersons and one by the ranking members.
The bill sets members’ terms at two years. Appointing authorities
must make initial appointments by January 1, 2022, make subsequent
appointments biannually, and fill vacancies. By March 1 following
their initial and subsequent appointments, members must meet and
elect from among themselves a chairperson and vice-chairperson. The
chairperson schedules all other meetings.
COMMITTEE ACTION 2021HB-06647-R000551-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JS Page 4 4/21/21
Planning and Development Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 25 Nay 1 (03/31/2021)