Executive Order 65

WHEREAS, \VHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, \VHEREAS, INTHE NAME AND BY THE AUTHOR!TYOFTHE STATE OF !OWA EXECUTP/E ORDER NUMBER 65 the State ofiowa is a large geographic region including both finite a..11d renewable resources, diverse economic activities; valuable public and private infrastructure, numerous business firms and government organizations, and a diverse population; and the management of geographic information about the character and location of tb.e state's natural, physical, economic, and cultural resources and human activity is becoming more important to both the public arid private sectors; and there are various spatial information technologies available to assist Iowa b:.:sir:esses and orgauizations meet their various and unique informatfon needs; and 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 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 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 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 'iVHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, WHEREAS, "WHEREAS, 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 there is a need to establish a formal forum in order to discuss, debate, and decide general issues related to geographic information; and 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 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 of data; and there is a need to support the ongoing development of a geographic information clearinghouse in order fo foster the sharing of geographic data; and there is a need to provide education, training, and support for users of geographic information to support the better management of public resources. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Terry E. Branstad, Governor of the State of Iowa, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the Laws and Constitution of the State of Iowa. do hereby order that: 1. The Iowa Geographic Information Council (hereinafter referred to as IGIC) shall be formally esrnblished. 2. The members of rhe IGIC shall be appointed by the Director of the Office of Information Technology Services from nominations received from 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 delineating irs operation, elections and 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 301h of each year to be submitted to the Director of the Office oflnformarion Technology Services describing accomplishments (Torn the previous year and recommendations for the future. ATTEST:· 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 tb.e IGIC shall be ~idely distributed throughout Iowa for discussion and shall be recommended for implementation through the Office of Technology Services and other organizations as appropriate. IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my nan:ie and caused the Great Seal of the State of Iowa to be affixed. Dorie at Des Moines this twentieth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety- eight. <\\'~,.~GOVERN R c2L_Yt2&SECRETARY OF STATE