Substituted for: House Bill No. 2827

By Bowers

AN ACT To amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 7, relative to Geographic Information Systems.

WHEREAS, In the course of carrying out their governmental responsibilities, municipalities often amass a wealth of information relating to infrastructure, property ownership, and other geographic information; and

WHEREAS, Such information is of value to interested parties, and could provide municipalities with a source of revenue if suitably organized and sold; now, therefore,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. There is created a special joint study committee to assess the impact of charging fees to the public for public information generated by Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

SECTION 2. The special joint study committee shall consist of twelve (12) members, as follows: three (3) members of the Senate, appointed by the Speaker of the Senate; three (3) members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House; the Comptroller of the Treasury or his designee; the Commissioner of Finance and Administration or his designee; two (2) representatives of local government, chosen jointly by the Speakers of the House and Senate; and two (2) representatives of the public chosen by the real estate, design and construction professions.

The special joint study committee shall be convened by the legislative member with the most years of continuous legislative service, and at its organizational meeting shall elect from the legislative membership a chair, vice-chair and such other officers, as it may deem necessary.

Members of the committee shall serve without compensation, except that any member of the committee who is not a state or local government employee shall be reimbursed for all travel expenses incurred as a result of his or her duties with the committee in accordance with the provisions of the Comprehensive Travel Regulations promulgated by the Department of Finance and Administration and approved by the Attorney General.

SECTION 3. The special joint study committee shall conclude its work and submit its findings and recommendations in writing to the Information Systems Council by November 15, 1998. The Institute of Public Service of the University of Tennessee shall provide technical assistance if requested by the Chair.

SECTION 4. The Information Systems Council is requested to report its findings and recommendations to the One Hundred First General Assembly no later than January 29, 1999.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.