Sec. 4d-90. Geospatial Information Systems Council. Membership. Duties. Report.

      Sec. 4d-90. Geospatial Information Systems Council. Membership. Duties. Report. (a) There is established a Geospatial Information Systems Council consisting of the following members, or their designees: (1) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management; (2) the Commissioners of Environmental Protection, Economic and Community Development, Transportation, Public Safety, Public Health, Public Works, Agriculture, Emergency Management and Homeland Security and Social Services; (3) the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Information Technology; (4) the Chancellor of the Connecticut State University System; (5) the president of The University of Connecticut; (6) the Executive Director of the Connecticut Siting Council; (7) one member who is a user of geospatial information systems appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate representing a municipality with a population of more than sixty thousand; (8) one member who is a user of geospatial information systems appointed by the minority leader of the Senate representing a regional planning agency; (9) one member who is a user of geospatial information systems appointed by the Governor representing a municipality with a population of less than sixty thousand but more than thirty thousand; (10) one member who is a user of geospatial information systems appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives representing a municipality with a population of less than thirty thousand; (11) one member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who is a user of geospatial information systems; (12) the chairperson of the Public Utility Control Authority; (13) the Adjutant General of the Military Department; and (14) any other persons the council deems necessary appointed by the council. The Governor shall select the chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall administer the affairs of the council. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the authority making the appointment. Members shall receive no compensation for their services on said council, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Said council shall hold one meeting each calendar quarter and such additional meetings as may be prescribed by council rules. In addition, special meetings may be called by the chairperson or by any three members upon delivery of forty-eight hours written notice to each member.

      (b) The council, within available appropriations, shall coordinate a uniform geospatial information system capacity for municipalities, regional planning agencies, the state and others, as needed, which shall include provisions for (1) creation, maintenance and dissemination of geographic information or imagery that may be used to (A) precisely identify certain locations or areas, or (B) create maps or information profiles in graphic or electronic form about particular locations or areas, and (2) promotion of a forum in which geospatial information may be centralized and distributed. In establishing such capacity, the council shall consult with municipalities, regional planning agencies, state agencies and other users of geospatial information system technology. The purpose of any such system shall be to provide guidance or assistance to municipal and state officials in the areas of land use planning, transportation, economic development, environmental, cultural and natural resources management, the delivery of public services and other areas, as necessary.

      (c) The council may apply for federal grants and may accept and expend such grants on behalf of the state through the Office of Policy and Management.

      (d) The council, within available appropriations, shall administer a program of technical assistance to municipalities and regional planning agencies to develop geospatial information systems and shall periodically recommend improvements to the geospatial information system provided for in subsection (b) of this section.

      (e) On or before January 1, 2006, and annually thereafter, the council shall submit, in accordance with section 11-4a, a report on activities under this section to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to planning and development.

      (June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3, S. 84; P.A. 08-19, S. 4.)

      History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 05-3 effective June 30, 2005; P.A. 08-19 amended Subsec. (a) to change meeting requirement from one each month to one each calendar quarter, effective April 29, 2008.