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)