EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 16

WHEREAS, the State of Alabama is a large geographic region containing renewable resources, diverse economic activities, valuable public and private infrastructure, numerous business firms, government organizations, and a diverse population;

WHEREAS, the management of geographic information describing the type and location of the state’s natural, physical, economic, and cultural resources and human activity is becoming more important to both the public and private sectors;

WHEREAS, State and local governments’ information sharing capabilities, particularly in the geospatial data technical environment, have increased considerably over the last several years;

WHEREAS, federal, state, and local governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private industries have developed increasingly powerful computer systems designed to process and analyze map and other spatial information, collectively called “Geographic Information System (GIS) technology”;

WHEREAS, it is important that the State identify opportunities that will improve the effectiveness of State programs through the coordinated use of geospatial technology;

WHEREAS, the coordination, promotion, development, use, and sharing of geographic information, geospatial data, and the efficient use of GIS and related technologies for economic development will provide a long term benefit to the citizens of Alabama;

WHEREAS, it is necessary to require coordination and provide guidance in the development and implementation of GIS technology to improve the delivery of public services including, but not limited to, emergency services, reduce redundancy and duplication of effort, manage and protect natural resources, and provide for coordinated planning activities related thereto;

WHEREAS, a vast majority of all information used by governments can be spatially referenced;

WHEREAS, public agencies expend considerable resources collecting and managing geographic information records in diverse formats and scales;

WHEREAS, a modern automated system of accessible geographic information management data and technologies is required to serve the essential needs of individuals, businesses, and government agencies;

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to the State, local governments, education entities, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, and the citizens of Alabama to develop high-quality, accurate framework geospatial data; and,

WHEREAS, GIS technology can be used strategically as a management information and decision making tool in such areas as water resources, air resources, agricultural resources, energy resources, cultural resources, land resources, mineral resources, environmental management, forestry, geology, health, local government, planning, public safety, criminal justice, social services, transportation, utilities, waste management, homeland security, and wildlife management.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons related thereto, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby rescind Executive Order #38, issued on November 27, 2007, as amended on March 3, 2008 and November 10, 2009, and create the Alabama Geographic Information Program Office (the “Office”).

BE IT ORDERED that the fiscal agent for the Office shall be the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) and shall be managed by a Director and an Assistant Director, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director shall be responsible for centrally maintaining the information of the Office.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Office shall coordinate with existing department heads, commissioners and directors to assimilate the GIS efforts of their State agencies, departments, and commissions.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, the Alabama Geographic Information Executive Council (the “Council”) is hereby established as follows:

Section 1. Purpose.

The purpose of this statewide geographic information coordination effort shall be to establish policies relating to the use of geographic information, geospatial data, and related technologies; to further cooperation among state, federal, and local government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector to improve the quality, access, cost-effectiveness, and utility of Alabama’s geographic information; and to facilitate the employment of geographic information as a strategic resource in the State.

Section 2. Establishment.

The Council is created and shall operate as an independent council. The Council shall have the duties, responsibilities, functions, and authority set forth in this order and otherwise provided by law.

Section 3. Duties Generally.

The Council is established to develop policies regarding the utilization of geographic information, GIS systems, and other related technologies. The Council shall be responsible for the following activities:

1. Strategic planning for a sustainable state program to coordinate GIS;
2. Resolution of policy and technology issues;
3. Coordination of interagency development of high-quality, accurate framework for geospatial data;
4. Coordination, direction, and facilitation of state, county, and local government GIS efforts;
5. Developing an educational outreach program to coordinate geospatial training efforts;
6. Advising the Governor, the Legislature, and local governing bodies as to needed directions, responsibilities, and funding regarding geographic information;
7. Evaluating and determining the staffing requirements for GIS coordination at the state level; and,
8. Seeking input from all stakeholders at all levels of government, and the private sector to include public utilities, business professionals, industry leaders and others with a vested interest in GIS

Section 4. Members.

The Council shall consist of the following members, or their designees:

1. The Director of the Alabama Department of Finance;
2. The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Revenue;
3. The Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation;
4. The Director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency;
5. The Director of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management;
6. The Director of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security;
7. The Director of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs;
8. The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation;
9. The Director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety;
10. The Director of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations;
11. The Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries;
12. The State Geologist, Geological Survey of Alabama;
13. The Director of the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center;
14. The Director of the Alabama League of Municipalities;
15. The Director of the Association of County Commissioners of Alabama; and,
16. Any additional members appointed by and to serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

Council members shall serve terms coinciding with their respective offices or appointments. No person or individual shall continue to serve on the council when he or she or whomever designated him or her, if a designee, no longer serves in the office or position to which they were elected or appointed. The Governor shall appoint a Chairperson from the Council membership.

Section 5. Governance.

The Council shall adopt bylaws and govern its proceedings accordingly. The Council shall meet on the call of the Chair. The Council may subdivide itself into standing committees and workgroups to accomplish the stated purposes of the Council. All Council members shall serve without compensation and will be reimbursed for expenses by their respective agencies.

Section 6. Reporting

The Council and Director shall report, as appropriate, to the Governor and the Alabama Legislature on the progress made toward accomplishing their missions.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that there is hereby created an Advisory Committee to ensure that state and local interests are considered by the Council. The Advisory Committee’s purposes will be to foster communication and cooperation among stakeholders throughout state, local, and federal agencies, educational institutions, private industry, and others in the field of GIS; provide guidance for the Council in fulfilling the objectives of the Strategic Plan; promote discussions of relevant GIS issues within the state; and provide advice to the Council and the GIS community on GIS related issues. Members of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director of the Office shall serve as the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Advisory Committee should have representation from stakeholders throughout the state and shall include those familiar with water resources, air resources, agricultural resources, energy resources, cultural resources, land resources, mineral resources, environmental management, forestry, geology, health, local government, planning, public safety, criminal justice, social services, transportation, utilities, waste management, homeland security, and wildlife management.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order become effective immediately upon signing and shall remain in force until such time as it is modified or rescinded by the Governor.

DONE AND ORDERED this 31st day of May, 2011.

Robert Bentley

Governor

Attested

Beth Chapman

Secretary of State