Executive Order

I, TERRY E. BRANSTAD, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF IOWA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the applicable statutes, do hereby issue this Executive Order.

WHERAS, the State of Iowa is a large geographic region including both finite and renewable resources, diverse economic activities, valuable public and private infrastructure, numerous business firms and government organizations, and a diverse population; and

WHERAS, the management of geographic information about the character and location of the state's natural, physical, economic, and cultural resources and human activity is becoming more important to both the public and private sectors; and

WHERAS, there are various spatial information technologies available to assist Iowa businesses and organizations meet their various and unique information needs; and

WHERAS, there are various governmental, business, and educational users of spatial data technologies who would benefit from data sharing, coordination of technology development activities, the development of common standards and conventions, and educational activities; and

WHERAS, there is a need to coordinate the various activities in geographic information systems (GIS) and related technologies in order to better exchange and share information and to enhance the stewardship of geographic information in the management of public resources; and

WHERAS, the current Iowa Geographic Information Council, a volunteer organization, has been involved in a variety of educational, communications, and information sharing activities but lacks the explicit authority to recommend policies, guidelines, and standards; and

WHERAS, there is a need to recommend policies, guidelines, and standards to the Office of Information Technology Services and other units of government for developing and sharing geographic information; and

WHERAS, there is a need to avoid duplication of effort so as to reduce the costs that would otherwise be involved if each organization developed its own GIS and related capabilities independently; and

WHERAS, there is a need to establish a formal forum in order to discuss, debate, and decide general issues related to geographic information; and

WHERAS, there is a need to establish a formal forum in order to discuss, debate, and issue guidelines on confidentiality and privacy issues related to geographic information; and

WHERAS, there is a need to prioritize and schedule the development of public-funded data programs, define the roles and responsibilities of data stewardship, and formulate policies for the access, distribution, and pricing data; and

WHERAS, there is a need to support the ongoing development of a geographic information clearinghouse in order to foster the sharing of geographic data; and

WHERAS, there is a need to provide education, training, and support for users of geographic information to support the better management of public resources; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby order that:

1. The Iowa Geographic Information Council (hereinafter referred to as IGIC) shall be formally established.

2. The members of the IGIC shall be appointed by the Director of the Office of Information Technology Services from nominations received for the existing IGIC. The IGIC shall be composed of members with knowledge and interest in the GIS field representing state government, federal government, city government, county government, regional and metropolitan planning, universities and private colleges, community colleges, and GIS user(s) in the private sector.

3. The IGIC shall formulate and adopt a charter and bylaws for its own operation and elections and for the formation of topical subcommittees.

4. The IGIC shall receive administrative staff support from the Office of Information Technology Services.

5. The IGIC shall prepare an annual report to the Governor by June 30th of each year to be submitted to the Director of the Office of Information Technology Services describing accomplishments from the previous year and recommendations for the future.

6. The annual report due on June 30, 1998 shall include recommendations with respect to the future organizational structure of the IGIC and detailed recommendations in the form of a plan for addressing the needs described in this executive order.

7. Policies, guidelines, standards, and conventions developed by the IGIC shall be widely distributed throughout Iowa for discussion and shall be recommended for implementation through the Office of Information Technology Services and other organizations as appropriate.