Geospatial Data Act Online Version

To provide protections for certain sports medicine professionals, to reauthorize Federal aviation programs, to improve aircraft safety certification processes, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

H.R. 302 – FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Congress.gov webpage: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/302/text

FGDC GDA webpage, materials, and this document: https:// www.fgdc.gov/gda


Table of Contents

Subtitle F—Geospatial Data

SEC. 751. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.

  1. SHORT TITLE. —This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Geospatial Data Act of 2018’’.

  1. open and publicly available data is essential to the successful operation of the GeoPlatform;
  2. the private sector in the United States, for the purposes of acquiring and producing quality geospatial data and geospatial data services, has been and continues to be invaluable in carrying out the varying missions of Federal departments and agencies, as well as contributing positively to the United States economy; and
  3. over the last 2 decades, Congress has passed legislation that promotes greater access and use of Government information and data, which has—
    1. sparked new, innovative start-ups and services;
    2. spurred economic growth in many sectors, such as in the geospatial services;
    3. advanced scientific research;
    4. promoted public access to Federally funded services and data; and
    5. improved access to geospatial data for the purposes of promoting public health, weather forecasting, economic development, environmental protection, flood zone research, and other purposes.

    SEC. 752. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle—

    1. the term "Advisory Committee" means the National Geospatial Advisory Committee established under section 754(a);
    2. the term ‘‘Committee’’ means the Federal Geographic Data Committee established under section 753(a);
    3. the term ‘‘covered agency’’—
      1. means—
        1. an Executive department, as defined in section 101 of title 5, United States Code, that collects, produces, acquires, maintains, distributes, uses, or preserves geospatial data on paper or in electronic form to fulfill the mission of the Executive department, either directly or through a relationship with another organization, including a State, local government, Indian tribe, institution of higher education, business partner or contractor of the Federal Government, and the public;
        2. the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; or
        3. the General Services Administration; and
        1. means information that is tied to a location on the Earth, including by identifying the geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries on the Earth, and that is generally represented in vector datasets by points, lines, polygons, or other complex geographic features or phenomena;
        2. may be derived from, among other things, remote sensing, mapping, and surveying technologies;
        3. includes images and raster datasets, aerial photographs, and other forms of geospatial data or datasets in digitized or non-digitized form; and
        4. does not include—
          1. geospatial data and activities of an Indian tribe not carried out, in whole or in part, using Federal funds, as determined by the tribal government;
          2. classified national security-related geospatial data and activities of the Department of Defense, unless declassified;
          3. classified national security-related geospatial data and activities of the Department of Energy, unless declassified;
          4. geospatial data and activities under chapter 22 of title 10, United States Code, or section 110 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3045);
          5. intelligence geospatial data and activities, as determined by the Director of National Intelligence; or
          6. certain declassified national security-related geospatial data and activities of the intelligence community, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, or the Director of National Intelligence;

          SEC. 753. FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE.

          1. IN GENERAL. —There is established within the Department of the Interior an interagency committee to be known as the Federal Geographic Data Committee, which shall act as the lead entity in the executive branch for the development, implementation, and review of policies, practices, and standards relating to geospatial data.
          2. MEMBERSHIP. —
            1. CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON. —The Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall serve as Chairperson of the Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Committee,
            2. OTHER MEMBERS. —
              • IN GENERAL. —The head of each covered agency and the Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency shall each designate a representative of their respective agency to serve as a member of the Committee.
              • REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENTS. —An officer appointed to serve as a member of the Committee shall hold a position as an assistant secretary, or an equivalent position, or a higher ranking position.
            3. GUIDANCE. —Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and as needed thereafter, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall update guidance with respect to membership of the Committee and the roles of members of the Committee.
            1. lead the development and management of and operational decision making for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure strategic plan and geospatial data policy in accordance with section 755;
            2. designate National Geospatial Data Asset data themes and oversee the coordinated management of the National Geospatial Data Asset data themes in accordance with section 756;
            3. establish and maintain geospatial data standards in accordance with section 757;
            4. periodically review and determine the extent to which covered agencies comply with geospatial data standards;
            5. ensure that the GeoPlatform operates in accordance with section 758;
            6. direct and facilitate national implementation of the system of National Geospatial Data Asset data themes;
            7. communicate with and foster communication among covered agencies and other entities and individuals relating to geospatial data technology development, transfer, and exchange in order to—
              1. identify and meet the needs of users of geospatial data;
              2. promote cost-effective data collection, documentation, maintenance, distribution, and preservation strategies; and
              3. leverage Federal and non-Federal resources, such as promoting Federal shared services and cross-agency coordination for marketplace solutions;
              1. a summary of the status for each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, based on the report submitted by the applicable lead covered agency under section 756(b)(3)(E)(ii)(I), which shall include—
                1. an evaluation of the progress of each lead covered agency in achieving the requirements under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of section 756(b)(3); and
                2. a determination of whether, for each of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of section 756(b)(3), each lead covered agency meets expectations, has made progress toward expectations, or fails to meet expectations;
                1. make available to and request comments from the Advisory Committee regarding the summaries and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10);
                2. if requested by the Advisory Committee, respond to any comments by the Advisory Committee; and
                3. not less than once every 2 years, submit to Congress a report that includes the summaries and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10), the comments of the Advisory Committee, and the responses of the Committee to the comments;
                1. make available to and request comments from covered agencies regarding the summaries and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10); and
                2. not less than once every 2 years, submit to Congress a report that includes the comments of the covered agencies and the responses of the Committee to the comments; and

                SEC. 754. NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

                1. ESTABLISHMENT. —The Secretary of the Interior shall establish within the Department of the Interior the National Geospatial Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the Chairperson of the Committee.
                2. MEMBERSHIP. —
                  1. COMPOSITION. —The Advisory Committee shall be composed of not more than 30 members, at least one of which will be from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, who shall—
                    1. be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee;
                    2. be selected—
                      1. to generally achieve a balanced representation of the viewpoints of various interested parties involved in national geospatial activities and the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and
                      2. with consideration of a geographic balance of residence of the members; and
                      1. States;
                      2. local governments;
                      3. regional governments;
                      4. tribal governments;
                      5. private sector entities;
                      6. geospatial information user industries;
                      7. professional associations;
                      8. scholarly associations;
                      9. nonprofit organizations;
                      10. academia;
                      11. licensed geospatial data acquisition professionals; and
                      12. the Federal Government.
                      1. IN GENERAL.—Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, with the term of 1⁄3 of the members expiring each year.
                      2. VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
                      1. may not be appointed to more than 2 consecutive terms as a member of the Advisory Committee; and
                      2. after serving for 2 consecutive terms, is eligible to be appointed as a member of the Advisory Committee on and after the date that is 2 years after the end of the second consecutive term of the individual as a member of the Advisory Committee.
                      1. IN GENERAL.—An individual serving on the day before the date of enactment of this Act as a member of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee established by the Secretary of the Interior may serve as a member of the Advisory Committee until the end of the term of the individual under the appointment.
                      2. LIMIT ON TERMS.—Any period of service as a member of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee established by the Secretary of the Interior shall be considered a period of service as a member of the Advisory Committee for purposes of paragraph (4).
                      1. may be formed for the purposes of compiling information or conducting research;
                      2. shall be composed of members appointed by the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee;
                      3. shall act under the direction of the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee and the officer or employee designated under section 10(e) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) with respect to the Advisory Committee;
                      4. shall report the recommendations of the subcommittee to the Advisory Committee for consideration; and
                      5. shall meet as necessary to accomplish the objectives of the subcommittee, subject to the approval of the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee and the availability of resources.
                      1. IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, not less than 1 time each year and not more than 4 times each year.
                      2. QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold meetings or hearings.
                      1. provide advice and recommendations relating to—
                        1. the management of Federal and national geospatial programs;
                        2. the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and
                        3. implementation of this subtitle;
                        1. MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee may hold meetings (which shall be open to the public) and sit and act at such times and places as the Advisory Committee considers advisable to carry out this subtitle.
                        2. INFORMATION FROM COVERED AGENCIES.—
                          • IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee, with the concurrence of the Chairperson of the Committee, may secure directly from any covered agency such information as the Advisory Committee considers necessary to carry out this subtitle. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee, the head of such agency shall furnish such information to the Advisory Committee.
                          • NONCOOPERATION.—The Advisory Committee shall include in the comments of the Advisory Committee submitted under section 753(c)(11) a discussion of any failure by a covered agency to furnish information in response to a request under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
                        3. POSTAL SERVICES.—The Advisory Committee may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other agencies of the Federal Government.
                        1. NO COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—
                          1. NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Advisory Committee who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve without compensation.
                          2. FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Advisory Committee who is an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve without compensation in addition to the compensation received for the services of the member as an officer or employee of the Federal Government.
                          1. IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Advisory Committee.
                          2. NO TERMINATION.—Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee.
                          1. IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Advisory Committee shall terminate 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
                          2. CONTINUATION.—The Advisory Committee may be continued for successive 10-year periods by action taken by the Secretary of the Interior to renew the Advisory Committee before the date on which the Advisory Committee would otherwise terminate.

                          SEC. 755. NATIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE.

                          1. IN GENERAL.—The National Spatial Data Infrastructure shall ensure that geospatial data from multiple sources (including the covered agencies, State, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, and institutions of higher education) is available and easily integrated to enhance the understanding of the physical and cultural world.
                          2. GOALS.—The goals of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure are to—
                            1. ensure—
                              1. that geospatial data are reviewed prior to disclosure to ensure—
                                1. compliance with section 552a of title 5 (commonly known as the ‘‘Privacy Act of 1974’’); and
                                2. that personally identifiable information is not disclosed, which shall include an assessment of reidentification risk when determining what data constitute personally identifiable information;

                                SEC. 756. NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL DATA ASSET DATA THEMES.

                                1. IN GENERAL. —The Committee shall designate as National Geospatial Data Asset data themes the primary topics and subjects for which the coordinated development, maintenance, and dissemination of geospatial data will benefit the Federal Government and the interests of the people of the United States, which shall—
                                  1. be representations of conceptual topics describing digital spatial information for the Nation; and
                                  2. contain associated datasets (with attribute records and coordinates)—
                                    1. that are documented, verifiable, and officially designated to meet recognized standards;
                                    2. that may be used in common; and
                                    3. from which other datasets may be derived.
                                    1. IN GENERAL.—For each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, the Committee shall designate one or more covered agencies as the lead covered agencies for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme.
                                    2. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY.—The lead covered agencies for a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme shall be responsible for ensuring the coordinated management of the data, supporting resources (including technology and personnel), and related services and products of the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme.
                                    3. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES.—To assist in fulfilling the responsibilities under paragraph (2) with respect to a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, the lead covered agencies shall—
                                      1. provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of geospatial data standards for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, with a particular emphasis on a data content standard for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, including by—
                                        1. assessing existing standards;
                                        2. identifying anticipated or needed data standards; and
                                        3. developing a plan to originate and implement needed standards with relevant community and international practices—
                                          1. in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A– 119, or any successor thereto; and
                                          2. consistent with or as a part of the plan described in subparagraph (B);
                                          1. include developing partnership programs with States, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, private sector entities, other Federal agencies, and local governments;
                                          2. meet the needs of users of geospatial data;
                                          3. address human and financial resource needs;
                                          4. identify needs relating to standards, metadata for geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, and the GeoPlatform; and
                                          5. expedite the development of necessary National Geospatial Data Asset data themes;
                                          1. designate a point of contact within the lead covered agency who shall be responsible for developing, maintaining, coordination relating to, and disseminating data using the GeoPlatform;
                                          2. submit to the Committee—
                                            1. a performance report, at least annually, that documents the activities relating to and implementation of the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, including progress in achieving the requirements under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D); and
                                            2. comments, as appropriate, regarding the summary and evaluation of the performance report provided by the Committee under section 753(c)(12);

                                            SEC. 757. GEOSPATIAL DATA STANDARDS.

                                            1. IN GENERAL.—In accordance with section 216 of the EGovernment Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note), the Committee shall establish standards for each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, which—
                                              1. shall include—
                                                1. rules, conditions, guidelines, and characteristics for the geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme and related processes, technology, and organization; and
                                                2. content standards for metadata for geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme;
                                                1. develop and promulgate standards under this section—
                                                  1. in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor thereto; and
                                                  2. after consultation with a broad range of data users and providers;

                                                  SEC. 758. GEOPLATFORM.

                                                  1. IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall operate an electronic service that provides access to geospatial data and metadata for geospatial data to the general public, to be known as the GeoPlatform.
                                                  2. IMPLEMENTATION.—
                                                    1. IN GENERAL.—The GeoPlatform—
                                                      1. shall—
                                                        1. be available through the internet and other communications means;
                                                        2. be accessible through a common interface;
                                                        3. include metadata for all geospatial data collected by covered agencies, directly or indirectly;
                                                        4. include download access to all open geospatial data directly or indirectly collected by covered agencies; and
                                                        5. include a set of programming instructions and standards providing an automated means of accessing available geospatial data, which—
                                                          1. harmonize sources and data standards associated with geospatial data, including metadata; and
                                                          2. to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Chairperson of the Committee, shall be made publicly available;
                                                          1. specific to the functions of the covered agency; or
                                                          2. targeted to information consumers that directly interface with the services, portals, or other mechanisms of the covered agency.

                                                          SEC. 759. COVERED AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

                                                          1. IN GENERAL.—Each covered agency shall—
                                                            1. prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information and related geospatial data and activities appropriate to the mission of the covered agency, in support of the strategic plan for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure prepared under section 755(c);
                                                            2. collect, maintain, disseminate, and preserve geospatial data such that the resulting data, information, or products can be readily shared with other Federal agencies and non-Federal users;
                                                            3. promote the integration of geospatial data from all sources;
                                                            4. ensure that data information products and other records created in geospatial data and activities are included on agency record schedules that have been approved by the National Archives and Records Administration;
                                                            5. allocate resources to fulfill the responsibilities of effective geospatial data collection, production, and stewardship with regard to related activities of the covered agency, and as necessary to support the activities of the Committee;
                                                            6. use the geospatial data standards, including the standards for metadata for geospatial data, and other appropriate standards, including documenting geospatial data with the relevant metadata and making metadata available through the GeoPlatform;
                                                            7. coordinate and work in partnership with other Federal agencies, agencies of State, tribal, and local governments, institutions of higher education, and the private sector to efficiently and cost- effectively collect, integrate, maintain, disseminate, and preserve geospatial data, building upon existing non- Federal geospatial data to the extent possible;
                                                            8. use geospatial information to—
                                                              1. make Federal geospatial information and services more useful to the public;
                                                              2. enhance operations;
                                                              3. support decision making; and
                                                              4. enhance reporting to the public and to Congress;
                                                              1. IN GENERAL.—Each covered agency shall submit to the Committee an annual report regarding the achievements of the covered agency in preparing and implementing the strategy described in subsection (a)(1) and complying with the other requirements under subsection (a).
                                                              2. BUDGET SUBMISSION.—Each covered agency shall—
                                                                1. include geospatial data in preparing the budget submission of the covered agency to the President under sections 1105(a) and 1108 of title 31, United States Code;
                                                                2. maintain an inventory of all geospatial data assets in accordance with OMB Circular A–130, or any successor thereto; and
                                                                3. prepare an annual report to Congress identifying Federal-wide geospatial data assets, as defined in OMB Circular A–16, as set forth in OMB memo M–11–03, Issuance of OMB Circular A–16 Supplemental Guidance (November 10, 2010), or any successor thereto.
                                                                1. the compliance of the covered agency with the standards for geospatial data, including metadata for geospatial data, established under section 757;
                                                                2. the compliance of the covered agency with the requirements under subsection (a); and
                                                                3. the compliance of the covered agency on the limitation on the use of Federal funds under section 759A.

                                                                SEC. 759A. LIMITATION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

                                                                1. DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘implementation date’’ means the date that is 5 years after the date on which standards for each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme are established under section 757.
                                                                2. LIMITATION.—Except as provided otherwise in this section, on and after the implementation date, a covered agency may not use Federal funds for the collection, production, acquisition, maintenance, or dissemination of geospatial data that does not comply with the applicable standards established under section 757, as determined by the Committee.
                                                                3. EXCEPTION FOR EXISTING GEOSPATIAL DATA. —On and after the implementation date, a covered agency may use Federal funds to maintain and disseminate geospatial data that does not comply with the applicable standards established under section 757 if the geospatial data was collected, produced, or acquired by the covered agency before the implementation date.
                                                                4. WAIVER.—
                                                                  1. IN GENERAL. —The Chairperson of the Committee may grant a waiver of the limitation under subsection (b), upon a request from a covered agency submitted in accordance with paragraph (2).
                                                                  2. REQUIREMENTS.—A request for a waiver under paragraph (1) shall—
                                                                    1. be submitted not later than 30 days before the implementation date;
                                                                    2. provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for seeking a waiver;
                                                                    3. provide a detailed plan to achieve compliance with the applicable standards established under section 757; and
                                                                    4. provide the date by which the covered agency shall achieve compliance with the applicable standards established under section 757.

                                                                    SEC. 759B. SAVINGS PROVISION.

                                                                    Nothing in this subtitle shall repeal, amend, or supersede any existing law unless specifically provided in this subtitle.

                                                                    SEC. 759C. PRIVATE SECTOR.

                                                                    The Committee and each covered agency may, to the maximum extent practical, rely upon and use the private sector in the United States for the provision of geospatial data and services.