43 USC 2806 - Geospatial data standards

Collapse to view only § 2806. Geospatial data standards

§ 2801. Definitions
§ 2802. Federal Geographic Data Committee
§ 2803. National Geospatial Advisory Committee
§ 2804. National spatial data infrastructure
§ 2805. National Geospatial Data Asset data themes
§ 2806. Geospatial data standards
§ 2807. Geoplatform
§ 2808. Covered agency responsibilities
§ 2809. Limitation on use of Federal funds
§ 2810. Savings provision
§ 2811. Private sector

§ 2801. DefinitionsIn this chapter—

(1) the term “Advisory Committee” means the National Geospatial Advisory Committee established under section 2803(a) of this title;

(2) the term “Committee” means the Federal Geographic Data Committee established under section 2802(a) of this title;

(3) the term “covered agency”—

(A) means—

(i) an Executive department, as defined in section 101 of title 5 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;

(ii) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; or

(iii) the General Services Administration; and

(B) does not include the Department of Defense (including 30 components and agencies performing national missions) or any element of the intelligence community;

(4) the term “GeoPlatform” means the GeoPlatform described in section 2807(a) of this title;

(5) the term “geospatial data”—

(A) 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;

(B) may be derived from, among other things, remote sensing, mapping, and surveying technologies;

(C) includes images and raster datasets, aerial photographs, and other forms of geospatial data or datasets in digitized or non-digitized form; and

(D) does not include—

(i) 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;

(ii) classified national security-related geospatial data and activities of the Department of Defense, unless declassified;

(iii) classified national security-related geospatial data and activities of the Department of Energy, unless declassified;

(iv) geospatial data and activities under chapter 22 of title 10 or section 3045 of title 50;

(v) intelligence geospatial data and activities, as determined by the Director of National Intelligence; or

(vi) 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;

(6) the term “Indian tribe” has the meaning given that term under section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b); 1

1 See References in Text note below.

(7) the term “institution of higher education” has the meaning given that term under section 1002 of title 20;

(8) the term “intelligence community” has the meaning given that term in section 3003 of title 50;

(9) the term “lead covered agency” means a lead covered agency for a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme designated under section 2805(b)(1) of this title;

(10) the term “local government” means any city, county, township, town, borough, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State;

(11) the term “metadata for geospatial data” means information about geospatial data, including the span, source, vintage, accuracy, condition, projection, method of collection, and other characteristics or descriptions of the geospatial data;

(12) the term “National Geospatial Data Asset data theme” means the National Geospatial Data Asset core geospatial datasets (including electronic records and coordinates) relating to a topic or subject designated under section 2805 of this title;

(13) the term “National Spatial Data Infrastructure” means the technology, policies, criteria, standards, and employees necessary to promote geospatial data sharing throughout the Federal Government, State, tribal, and local governments, and the private sector (including nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education); and

(14) the term “proven practices” means methods and activities that advance the use of geospatial data for the benefit of society.

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 752, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3414.)

§ 2802. Federal Geographic Data Committee

(a) In general

(b) Membership

(1) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson

(2) Other members

(A) In general

(B) Requirement for appointments

(3) Guidance

(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 2804 of this title;

(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 2805 of this title;

(3) establish and maintain geospatial data standards in accordance with section 2806 of this title;

(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 2807 of this title;

(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—

(A) identify and meet the needs of users of geospatial data;

(B) promote cost-effective data collection, documentation, maintenance, distribution, and preservation strategies; and

(C) leverage Federal and non-Federal resources, such as promoting Federal shared services and cross-agency coordination for marketplace solutions;

(8) define roles and responsibilities and promote and guide cooperation and coordination among agencies of the Federal Government, State, tribal, and local governments, institutions of higher education, and the private sector in the collection, production, sharing, and use of geospatial information, the implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the identification of proven practices;

(9) coordinate with international organizations having an interest in the National Spatial Data Infrastructure or global spatial data infrastructures;

(10) make available online and update at least annually—

(A) 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 2805(b)(3)(E)(ii)(I) of this title, which shall include—

(i) an evaluation of the progress of each lead covered agency in achieving the requirements under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of section 2805(b)(3) of this title; and

(ii) a determination of whether, for each of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of section 2805(b)(3) of this title, each lead covered agency meets expectations, has made progress toward expectations, or fails to meet expectations;

(B) a summary and evaluation of the achievements of each covered agency, based on the annual report submitted by the covered agency under section 2808(b)(1) of this title, which shall include a determination of whether the covered agency meets expectations, has made progress toward expectations, or fails to meet expectations for each of paragraphs (1) through (13) of section 2808(a) of this title;

(C) a collection of periodic technical publications, management articles, and reports related to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and

(D) a membership directory for the Committee, including identifying members of any subcommittee or working group of the Committee;

(11)

(A) make available to and request comments from the Advisory Committee regarding the summaries and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10);

(B) if requested by the Advisory Committee, respond to any comments by the Advisory Committee; and

(C) 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;

(12)

(A) make available to and request comments from covered agencies regarding the summaries and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10); and

(B) 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

(13) support and promote the infrastructure of networks, systems, services, and standards that provide a digital representation of the Earth to users for many applications.

(d) Staff support

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 753, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3415.)

§ 2803. National Geospatial Advisory Committee

(a) Establishment

(b) Membership

(1) CompositionThe 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—

(A) be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee;

(B) be selected—

(i) 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

(ii) with consideration of a geographic balance of residence of the members; and

(i) States;

(ii) local governments;

(iii) regional governments;

(iv) tribal governments;

(v) private sector entities;

(vi) geospatial information user industries;

(vii) professional associations;

(viii) scholarly associations;

(ix) nonprofit organizations;

(x) academia;

(xi) licensed geospatial data acquisition professionals; and

(xii) the Federal Government.

(2) Chairperson

(3) Period of appointment; vacancies

(A) In general

(B) Vacancies

(4) Limit on termsExcept for the member from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, an individual—

(A) may not be appointed to more than 2 consecutive terms as a member of the Advisory Committee; and

(B) 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.

(5) Ethical requirements

(6) Incumbents

(A) In general

(B) Limit on terms

(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.) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

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.

(d) Meetings

(1) In general

(2) Quorum

(e) Duties of the Advisory CommitteeThe Advisory Committee shall—

(1) provide advice and recommendations relating to—

(A) the management of Federal and national geospatial programs;

(B) the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and

(2) review and comment on geospatial policy and management issues; and

(3) ensure the views of representatives of non-Federal interested parties involved in national geospatial activities are conveyed to the Committee.

(f) Powers of the Advisory Committee

(1) Meetings

(2) Information from covered agencies

(A) In general

(B) Noncooperation

(3) Postal services

(g) Advisory Committee personnel matters

(1) No compensation of members

(A) Non-Federal employees

(B) Federal employees

(2) Travel expenses

(3) Detail of Government employees

(4) Staff support

(h) Applicability of FACA

(1) In general

(2) No termination

(i) Termination

(1) In general

(2) Continuation

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 754, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3418.)

§ 2804. National spatial data infrastructure

(a) In general

(b) GoalsThe goals of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure are to—

(1) ensure—

(A) that geospatial data are reviewed prior to disclosure to ensure—

(i) compliance with section 552a of title 5 (commonly known as the “Privacy Act of 1974”); and

(ii) that personally identifiable information is not disclosed, which shall include an assessment of re-identification risk when determining what data constitute personally identifiable information;

(B) that geospatial data are designed to enhance the accuracy of statistical information, both in raw form and in derived information products;

(C) free and open access for the public to geospatial data, information, and interpretive products, in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–130, or any successor thereto;

(D) the protection of proprietary interests related to licensed information and data; and

(E) the interoperability and sharing capabilities of Federal information systems and data to enable the drawing of resources from covered agencies and partners of covered agencies; and

(2) support and advance the establishment of a Global Spatial Data Infrastructure, consistent with national security, national defense, national intelligence, and international trade requirements, including ensuring that covered agencies develop international geospatial data in accordance with international voluntary consensus standards, as defined in Office of Management and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor thereto.

(d) Advisory role

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 755, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3420.)

§ 2805. National Geospatial Data Asset data themes

(a) In generalThe 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)—

(A) that are documented, verifiable, and officially designated to meet recognized standards;

(B) that may be used in common; and

(b) Lead covered agencies

(1) In general

(2) General responsibility

(3) Specific responsibilitiesTo assist in fulfilling the responsibilities under paragraph (2) with respect to a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, the lead covered agencies shall—

(A) 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 span standard for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, including by—

(i) assessing existing standards;

(ii) identifying anticipated or needed data standards; and

(iii) developing a plan to originate and implement needed standards with relevant community and international practices—(I) in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor thereto; and(II) consistent with or as a part of the plan described in subparagraph (B);

(B) provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of a plan for nationwide population of the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, which shall—

(i) include developing partnership programs with States, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, private sector entities, other Federal agencies, and local governments;

(ii) meet the needs of users of geospatial data;

(iii) address human and financial resource needs;

(iv) identify needs relating to standards, metadata for geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, and the GeoPlatform; and

(v) expedite the development of necessary National Geospatial Data Asset data themes;

(C) establish goals that support the strategic plan for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure prepared under section 2804(c) of this title;

(D) as necessary, collect and analyze information from users of geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme regarding the needs of the users for geospatial data and incorporate the needs of users in strategies relating to the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme; and

(E) as part of administering the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme—

(i) 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;

(ii) submit to the Committee—(I) 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(II) comments, as appropriate, regarding the summary and evaluation of the performance report provided by the Committee under section 2802(c)(12) of this title;

(iii) publish maps or comparable graphics online (in accordance with the mapping conventions specified by the Committee) showing the extent and status of the National Geospatial Data Asset data themes for which the covered agency is a lead covered agency;

(iv) encourage individuals and entities that are a source of geospatial data or metadata for geospatial data for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme to provide access to such data through the GeoPlatform;

(v) coordinate with the GeoPlatform; and

(vi) identify and publish proven practices for the use and application of geospatial data of the lead covered agency.

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 756, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3421.)

§ 2806. Geospatial data standards

(a) In generalIn accordance with section 216 of the E-Government Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 note), the Committee shall establish standards for each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, which—

(1)

(A) rules, conditions, guidelines, and characteristics for the geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme and related processes, technology, and organization; and

(B) span standards for metadata for geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme;

(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall be consistent with international standards and protocols;

(3) shall include universal data standards that shall be acceptable for the purposes of declassified intelligence community data; and

(4) the Committee shall periodically review and update as necessary for the standards to remain current, relevant, and effective.

(b) Development of standardsThe Committee shall—

(1) develop and promulgate standards under this section—

(A) in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor thereto; and

(B) after consultation with a broad range of data users and providers;

(2) to the maximum extent possible, use national and international standards adopted by voluntary standards consensus bodies; and

(3) establish new standards only to the extent standards described in paragraph (2) do not exist.

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 757, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3423.)

§ 2807. Geoplatform

(a) In general

(b) Implementation

(1) In generalThe GeoPlatform—

(A) shall—

(i) be available through the internet and other communications means;

(ii) be accessible through a common interface;

(iii) include metadata for all geospatial data collected by covered agencies, directly or indirectly;

(iv) include download access to all open geospatial data directly or indirectly collected by covered agencies; and

(v) include a set of programming instructions and standards providing an automated means of accessing available geospatial data, which—(I) harmonize sources and data standards associated with geospatial data, including metadata; and(II) to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Chairperson of the Committee, shall be made publicly available;

(B) may include geospatial data from a source other than a covered agency, if determined appropriate by the Committee; and

(C) shall not store or serve proprietary information or data acquired under a license by the Federal Government, unless authorized by the data provider.

(2) Managing partner

(c) ClarificationAlthough the GeoPlatform is intended to include all National Geospatial Data Asset and other Federal datasets, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a covered agency from also presenting, providing, or disseminating data that is—

(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.

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 758, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3424.)

§ 2808. Covered agency responsibilities

(a) In generalEach 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 2804(c) of this title;

(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—

(A) make Federal geospatial information and services more useful to the public;

(B) enhance operations;

(D) enhance reporting to the public and to Congress;

(9) protect personal privacy and maintain confidentiality in accordance with Federal policy and law;

(10) participate in determining, when applicable, whether declassified data can contribute to and become a part of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure;

(11) search all sources, including the GeoPlatform, to determine if existing Federal, State, local, or private geospatial data meets the needs of the covered agency before expending funds for geospatial data collection;

(12) to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that a person receiving Federal funds for geospatial data collection provides high-quality data; and

(13) appoint a contact to coordinate with the lead covered agencies for collection, acquisition, maintenance, and dissemination of the National Geospatial Data Asset data themes used by the covered agency.

(b) Reporting

(1) In general

(2) Budget submissionEach covered agency shall—

(A) include geospatial data in preparing the budget submission of the covered agency to the President under sections 1105(a) and 1108 of title 31;

(B) maintain an inventory of all geospatial data assets in accordance with OMB Circular A–130, or any successor thereto; and

(C) 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.

(3) Disclosure

(4) OMB review

(5) Reporting

(c) AuditsNot less than once every 2 years, the inspector general of a covered agency (or senior ethics official of the covered agency for a covered agency without an inspector general) shall submit to Congress an audit of the collection, production, acquisition, maintenance, distribution, use, and preservation of geospatial data by the covered agency, which shall include a review of—

(1) the compliance of the covered agency with the standards for geospatial data, including metadata for geospatial data, established under section 2806 of this title;

(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 2809 of this title.

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 759, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3425.)

§ 2809. Limitation on use of Federal funds

(a) Definition

(b) Limitation

(d) Waiver

(1) In general

(2) Requirements

A request for a waiver under paragraph (1) shall—

(A) be submitted not later than 30 days before the implementation date;

(B) provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for seeking a waiver;

(C) provide a detailed plan to achieve compliance with the applicable standards established under section 2806 of this title; and

(D) provide the date by which the covered agency shall achieve compliance with the applicable standards established under section 2806 of this title.

(e) Best efforts to comply during transition

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 759A, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3427.)

§ 2810. Savings provision

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

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 759B, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3427.)

§ 2811. 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.

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 759C, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3427.)