EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 68
WHEREAS, the organization, management, storage, and distribution of geographic Information has historically been facilitated through the use and transfer of paper maps, charts, drawings, and other documents; and
WHEREAS, in the past decade governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private industry in the State of Alabama have developed increasingly powerful computer systems designed to process and analyze map and other spatial information, collectively called Geographic Information System (GIS) technology; and
WHEREAS, addressing these geographic information management and technology needs can have a long term economic benefit to the citizens of Alabama; and
WHEREAS, GIS has the potential to significantly increase efficiency and reduce costs to the State of Alabama for conducting land, water, demographic, and other resource management activities; and
WHEREAS, the use of GIS technology to manage the State's natural, physical, economic, and cultural resources and human activity is being used in an uncoordinated fashion in Alabama; and
WHEREAS, increasingly complex decisions, overlapping responsibilities, and limited financial resources demand that governmental, business, academic, and other public and private sector entities work together to develop and utilize geographic information; and
WHEREAS, GIS technology can be used strategically as a decision making tool in such areas as water resources, air resources, agricultural resources, energy resources, cultural resources, land resources, mineral resources, environmental management, forestry, geology, health, local government, planning, public safety, social services, transportation, utilities, waste management, and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, geographic data, information, and technology can only be fully and practically utilized with a broader focus and cooperative effort; and
WHEREAS, coordination of investments, practices, and policies related to GIS is needed to enhance the stewardship of geographic information and to minimize duplication of effort and public expenditures; and
WHEREAS, there is need for the creation of a council to examine GIS policy;
NOW THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons which relate thereto, I Don Siegelman, as Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of Alabama, do hereby establish the Alabama Geographic Information Council. Such establishment shall comply with the following requirements:
Section 1. Establishment
The Alabama Geographic Information Council ("AGIC") is hereby established for a limited duration. The purpose of AGIC is to educate its members about the potential benefits of GIS and to assess the need and potential use of GIS technology by the members. On September 21, 2002, AGIC will submit its report to the Governor.
Section 2. Membership
AGIC shall consist of the directors, or their designees, from agencies of the State of Alabama, including:a) Alabama Department of Archives and History;
b) Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries;
c) Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources;
d) Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs;
e) Alabama Department of Environmental Management;
f) Alabama Department of Finance;
g) Alabama Department of Industrial Relations;
h) Alabama Department of the Military;
i) Alabama Department of Public Health;
j) Alabama Department of Revenue;
k) Alabama Department of Transportation;
l) Alabama Development Office;
m) Alabama Emergency Management Agency;
n) Alabama Forestry Commission;
o) Alabama Office of Information Technology;
p) Alabama Surface Mining Commission: and
q) Geological Survey of Alabama/State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama.In addition to the above members, the Governor shall appoint:
r) one member from Alabama K- 1 2 public schools;
s) two members from Alabama public institutions of higher education;
t) one member from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System;
u) one member representing the Alabama League of Municipalities;
v) one member representing the Alabama Association of County Commissions;
w) one member representing the Alabama Association of Regional Councils;
x) one member representing the Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors;
y) one member representing the Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Geologists; and
z) three members representing public utilities or private business.Section 3. Officers
AGIC shall have only one officer, appointed by the Governor, who will possess the title of Chairperson. It shall be the duty of this presiding officer to call, organize, and conduct meetings of the AGIC; to oversee AGIC's procedural organization; and to establish and organize any subcommittees. The term for the presiding officer shall end upon submission of AGIC's final report. In the event of a vacancy, subsequent chairpersons shall be appointed by the Governor.
Section 4. Duties
In the performance of its duties, AGIC shall:
A. Recommend goals, objectives, and a strategic management plan to guide the
development and implementation of GIS technology for the best value and benefit of the citizens of Alabama.
B. Assess all current geographic information available for the State of Alabama and make recommendations to
reduce inefficiency and redundancy in geographic information collection.
C. Recommend policies and strategies which emphasize cooperation and coordination among state agencies, federal agencies,
environmental agencies, regional planning agencies, municipalities, counties, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations,
utilities, private companies, and individuals, and other states in order to maximize the cost efficiency.
D. Recommend a strategy for funding and development of an accurate, current digital basemap for the state that includes
commonly needed geographic information themes, including the seven framework data layers as defined by the Federal
Geographic Data Committee - roads, streams, orthorectified digital aerial photography, elevation, political boundaries,
cadastre (parcel ownership), and geodetic control.
E. Establish a Technical Advisory Subcommittee that is the technical arm of AGIC. This subcommittee shall identify the most
important GIS issues and make recommendations. These issues include, but are not limited to, database development, standards,
data sharing, partnerships, applications, and other technical considerations.Section 5. Meetings and Voting
AGIC shall meet at least monthly until a final report is submitted on September 21, 2002. A quorum shall consist of a simple majority of voting members. Each member in attendance, or their designee in attendance, shall be apportioned one vote. All resolutions passed by AGIC shall require a simple majority.
Section 6. Administration and Expenses
Members of AGIC shall not receive compensation, subsistence allowance, mileage, or associated expenses. Officials or employees of State agencies who are appointed and designated to AGIC shall be allowed to participate in AGIC as part of their duties and may claim per diem, mileage, or associated expenses as allowed by law.
Section 7. Final Report and Dissolution
AGIC will cease to exist after its final report is submitted to the Governor on September 21, 2002. In this report, AGIC shall include the following:
a) a need assessment by each state agency represented on AGIC regarding GIS technology;
b) recommendations with respect to the future organizational structure of the AGIC; and
c) recommendations for implementing a comprehensive GIS strategy.This Order is effective immediately..
DONE AND ORDERED this 21 day of March, 2002.
___________________________________
Don Siegelman
Governor
Attested:
_________________________________
Jim Bennett
Secretary of State
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Last updated: November 2, 2002 |