(a) The Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Board is created.

(b) (1) (A) (i) The board shall be composed of thirteen (13) voting members.

(ii) Twelve (12) of the voting members shall be appointed by the Governor for terms of four (4) years.

(iii) The thirteenth voting member shall be the State Chief Technology Officer.

(B) At the time of appointment or reappointment, the appointing authority shall adjust the length of terms to ensure that the terms of members of the board are staggered so that, insofar as possible, an equal number of members shall rotate each year.

(2) The board shall be composed of the following members or their designees:

(A) Three (3) state entity representatives;

(B) Three (3) city, county, and local government representatives;

(C) Three (3) private sector representatives;

(D) Three (3) representatives of institutions of higher education; and

(E) The State Chief Technology Officer.

(3) All members of the board shall have knowledge of the use and usefulness of digital land and geographic information in the management of government and a general awareness of the role of mapping as related to that management.

(4) No person shall serve as a member of the board for more than two (2) full consecutive terms.

(5) Upon the death, disability, resignation, removal, or refusal to serve of any member, the Governor shall appoint a qualified person to complete board membership.

(c) (1) (A) A chair and a vice chair shall be elected by the board membership to oversee all board and committee meetings.

(B) Members of the board must elect a chair and vice chair every year.

(2)

(A) The board shall appoint the State Geographic Information Officer to serve with the approval and at the pleasure of the Governor.

(B) The State Geographic Information Officer will:

(i) Assist the board in developing a comprehensive plan and evaluation procedures on how the state should implement tactical and strategic geographic information systems and land information systems planning;

(ii) Implement informational and educational programs; and

(iii) Coordinate intrastate geographic information systems and land information systems efforts.

(C) The State Geographic Information Officer shall report directly to the Governor.

(d)

(1) The State Geographic Information Officer shall administer daily operations of the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Office with direction from the board.

(2) This may include liaison between the board, the Governor, the State Chief Technology Officer, and public or private sector entities involved in spatial data and land records modernization, project management in the preparation of the strategic planning documents related to spatial data and land records modernization, developing policy and procedures for land records modernization, and developing policy and procedures for the activities of the board.

(3) Additional requirements are the implementation of educational programs, coordinating vendor exhibits, and facilitating technical assistance and consulting.

(e) The board may conduct meetings at such places and such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish its objectives and purposes.

(f) Members of the board shall receive no compensation for their services.

(g) The board will be provided administrative support through the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Office.

(h) The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this subchapter shall come from the Geographic Information Systems Fund.

(i) The board shall provide an annual report on the status of the Arkansas Spatial Data Infrastructure to the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology.