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Committee backs moving Geospatial Advisory Council to Department of Community Affairs
Summary
A legislative committee voted to pass a bill to reestablish a Geospatial Advisory Council and tie it administratively to the Department of Community Affairs; testimony emphasized coordination of statewide geospatial datasets and that the bill carries no direct state funding.
A legislative committee voted to pass legislation that would reestablish the Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council and administratively attach it to the Department of Community Affairs (DCA).
Susan, the acting state geospatial information officer, told lawmakers the council would act as a governance body to prioritize investments and activities for developing statewide geospatial information. "The geospatial council would be housed at the Department of Community Affairs," she said, explaining the bill moves the advisory council from EPD to DCA and creates an administrative home for the office. Committee members noted the bill designates the council but does not include dedicated state funding.
Lawmakers pressed on practical issues such as who would staff the office and whether the code-based change could trigger another veto like a previous attempt in 2013. Representative Dickey — who introduced Susan to the committee — said he and others are working to secure longer-term funding and that the advisory council is intended initially as a coordination and priority-setting body. The committee recorded a 9-4 vote in favor of the motion to pass the bill; the motion was made on the floor and seconded during the hearing.
