AN ACT

To enact R.S. 36:4(B)(1)(e) and Chapter 15 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be compromised of R.S. 49:1051 through 1057, relative to geographic information; to provide for the creation of the Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council; to provide for membership of council; to provide for duties of the council; to provide for a statement of purpose; to provide for definitions; to provide for staff of the council; to provide for cooperation with the council; to provide for reports; to authorize receipt of donations and grants; and to provide for related matters. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:

Section 1. R.S. 36:4(B)(1)(e) is hereby enacted to read as follows:

§4. Structure of executive branch of state government

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The office of the governor shall be in the executive branch of state government.
(1) The following agencies and their powers, duties, functions, and responsibilities are hereby transferred to the office of the governor:

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(e) The Louisiana Data Base Commission (Part VIII of Chapter 1 of Subtitle I of Title 39), including the Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council (R.S. 49:1051 through 1057), within the division of administration.

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Section 2. Chapter 15 of Title 49 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be comprised of R.S. 49:1051 through 1057, is hereby enacted to read as follows:

CHAPTER 15. LOUISIANA GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS COUNCIL

§1051. Statement of purpose
A. The legislature finds that geographically-related information of potential use to the state of Louisiana has been collected and stored in numerous formats by many state entities. Geographic information system (GIS) technology is rapidly advancing, and many agencies throughout state government have used this technology to develop a variety of applications. No centralized geographically- related data resource or network for data communication and exchange currently exists. This type of network can use available GIS technology to eliminate duplication of effort and unnecessary redundancy in data collections and systems and to provide for integration of geographically-related data bases to facilitate the policy and planning purposes of the state of Louisiana.
B. The legislature further finds that cooperation and coordination among the various state entities developing and maintaining GIS systems is necessary for the economical use of state resources allocated to acquire GIS technology and associated data bases.
C. It is the purpose of this Chapter to create a mechanism for interagency cooperation in the sound development of state geographic information systems.

§1052. Definitions
A. "GIS" means geographic information system.
B. "Secretary," in R.S. 49:1053 herein, means the secretary of the department of the executive branch of state government to which reference is made.

§1053. Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council; creation; membership; quorum; domicile
A. There is hereby created the Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council, which shall be responsible for guiding the sound development of geographic information systems and geographically-related information technology for the state of Louisiana.
B. The Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council, hereafter referred to as "council", shall be placed within the Louisiana Data Base Commission (Part VIII of Chapter 1 of Subtitle I of Title 39), office of the governor, division of administration.
C. The council shall be composed of the following members:

1. A representative of the Louisiana Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate.
2. A representative of the Louisiana House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the House.
3. A representative of the office of the governor, division of administration, appointed by the commissioner of administration.
4. A representative of the office of the governor, military department, appointed by the adjutant general.
5. A representative of the Department of Justice, appointed by the attorney general.
6. A representative of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, appointed by the commissioner of agriculture.
7. A representative of the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, appointed by the secretary.
8. A representative of the Department of Economic Development, appointed by the secretary.
9. A representative of the Department of Environmental Quality, appointed by the secretary.
10. A representative of the Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, appointed by the secretary.
11. A representative of the Department of Natural Resources, appointed by the secretary.
12. A representative of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, appointed by the secretary.
13. A representative of the Department of Transportation and Development, appointed by the secretary.
14. A representative of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, appointed by the secretary.
15. A representative of the Louisiana Assessors Association, appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by such association and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
16. A representative of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by such association and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
17. A representative of the Louisiana Municipal Association, appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted by such association and subject to confirmation by the Senate.

D. Upon approval of the council, any other entity in state government may appoint a representative as a member of the council. The appointing authority of such entity shall make the appointment.
E. Each representative appointed shall be knowledgeable about geographic information systems and shall be involved in GIS applications in his employment capacity.
F. The council shall select a chairman from its membership.
G. A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
H. The council shall be domiciled in Baton Rouge.
I. The members of the council shall serve without compensation.

§1054. Duties of the Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council
The Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council shall have the following duties:

(1) To direct the activities of a center, the Louisiana Geographic Information Center (LAGIC), established to provide various GIS services to the state.
(2) To establish GIS policies, procedures, and guidelines for the sharing of data and technology among state agencies.
(3) To promote GIS use and development in Louisiana.
(4) To provide a forum for the coordination and cooperation of state GIS efforts.
(5) To attract funding for state GIS efforts.
(6) To coordinate the acquisition of statewide data sets.
(7) To facilitate the establishment of an infrastructure for network communication and data exchange among state GIS users.
(8) To advise state agencies on the acquisition and implementation of GIS and related activities.
(9) To coordinate GIS activities in state government with the activities of the Louisiana Data Base Commission as provided in R.S. 39:290 et seq.

§1055. Staff of the council; cooperation by departments and local units of government
A. Each member entity of the council may provide staff support for the activities of the council.
B. All departments and agencies of all branches of government and all units of local government shall cooperate with the council in providing and maintaining information related to the GIS activities of the state.
C. No department or agency unit of local or state government shall furnish information or data protected by the confidentiality provisions of Part I of Chapter 1 of Title 44 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, data protected by contract or licensing agreements, or any other confidential or privileged information; however, every department and agency and every unit of local government shall provide information on such data without disclosing the confidential or protected portion. Any person who intentionally violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months or both.

§1056. Reports
The council shall prepare and distribute a periodic report on the development of GIS technology and data sharing in state government. Such reports shall be distributed to all departments in the executive branch, the president of the Senate, and the speaker of the House of Representatives. Such reports shall be made available to other interested individuals upon request, and fees may be charged for the distribution of reports to such individuals which shall not exceed the cost of preparing such reports.

§1057. Receipt of donations and grants
The council is authorized to receive donations or grants from private or public sources for the purpose of developing GIS technology and data sets for the state of Louisiana.

Section 3. The commissioner of administration shall convene the first meeting of the Louisiana Geographic Information Systems Council created in Section 1 of this Act on or before October 1, 1995.

Approved July 27, 1995