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1995 SESSION

LD3030376
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 640
FLOOR AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by Delegate Murphy
on February 5, 1995)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Delegate Murphy)
Establishing a joint subcommittee to examine the need for establishing an authority to build and maintain the Virginia Geographic Information Network.

WHEREAS, in 1989, the General Assembly established the Commission on Population Growth and Development and charged it with studying and developing a vision for the future of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Commission subsequently found that much of the information it needed to answer questions and make decisions was unavailable, inaccessible, or inadequate; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly directed the Commission to develop, in conjunction with the Council on Information Management, a strategy for the statewide coordination of a comprehensive data collection system; and

WHEREAS, the Commission received in August of 1993 a report, “Virginia Geographic Information Network: Situation Assessment and Strategic Recommendations,” from its consultant, PlanGraphics, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, the Commission reported these findings and its recommendations to the General Assembly in its report, “Virginia Geographic Information Network, Proposal for Legislative Action”; and

WHEREAS, both reports recommended the creation of the Virginia Geographic Information Network (VGIN); and

WHEREAS, in 1994, the General Assembly appropriated $1.1 million and directed the Department of Planning and Budget to begin the phased implementation of VGIN; and

WHEREAS, VGIN is intended to include the development of a 1:12,000 scale digital base map for Virginia, with five priority data layers, and to support a geographic information systems management unit to coordinate state, local, and regional governments and private sector groups in collecting, maintaining, and disseminating information and sharing geographic data; and

WHEREAS, the role of the private sector in developing and maintaining such a system has not been adequately examined; and

WHEREAS, public-private partnerships can often more efficiently, effectively, and quickly meet the needs of both the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, the products and services created and provided through VGIN will have considerable market value in the public and private sectors; and

WHEREAS, even more diligence and speed are needed to establish VGIN for the citizens of the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to examine the need for establishing an authority to build and maintain the Virginia Geographic Information Network. The joint subcommittee shall conduct a market analysis and financial feasibility study for the establishment and maintenance of a VGIN authority, and an examination of (i) opportunities for investment and financing of the work of such an authority; (ii) the development of regulations for the use, access, and dissemination of network information; and (iii) copyright restrictions, Freedom of Information Act requirements, and intellectual property issues regarding geographic information.

The joint subcommittee shall be composed of six members as follows: three members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget, or his designee, who shall serve ex-officio.

The Division of Legislative Services and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Planning and Budget. The joint subcommittee may also seek technical assistance from an advisory committee composed of representatives of the private sector with expertise in developing geographic information systems, and representatives of the Commonwealth's universities with expertise in operating geographic information systems.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $3,750.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.