A. As used in this section and in Sections 1501-205.2 and 1501-205.3 of this title:

1. "Geographic information" means any data or databases in which location or spatial distribution is an essential element, including, but not limited to, land, air, water, and mineral resources, the distribution of plant, animal, and human populations, real property interests, zoning and other land development regulations, and political, jurisdictional, ownership, and other artificial divisions of geography;

2. "Geographic Information System" or "GIS" means computer systems that allow the analysis of data or databases containing geographic information; and

3. "Statewide data" means geographic information whose spatial extent is defined by the geographic boundary of the state of Oklahoma.

B. There is hereby created a State Geographic Information Council composed of nineteen (19) members as follows:

1. Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission or designee;

2. Director of the Department of Environmental Quality or designee;

3. Chair of the Corporation Commission or designee;

4. Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce or designee;

5. Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry or designee;

6. Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board or designee;

7. Director of the Department of Transportation or designee;

8. State Geographer or designee;

9. Director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey or designee;

10. Director of the Center for Spatial Analysis of the University of Oklahoma or designee;

11. Dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources of Oklahoma State University or designee;

12. Director of the Ad Valorem Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission or designee;

13. A member appointed by the Director of the Conservation Commission from a list of names submitted to the Director from the Oklahoma regional universities;

14. Director of Information Services of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services or designee;

15. Director of Wildlife Conservation or designee;

16. Director of Homeland Security or designee; and

17. Three members to be appointed by the Governor pursuant to subsection C of this section.

C. The Governor shall appoint three members to the Council to serve initial terms as specified by this subsection. Thereafter, the terms of all appointed members shall be four (4) years. Gubernatorial members shall not be appointed more than three successive terms. Incumbent members may continue to serve on the Council until a new appointment is made. Upon recommendation by the Council, the following members shall be appointed by the Governor:

1. A representative of the Oklahoma Association of Regional Councils, appointed for an initial four-year term;

2. A representative of county assessors, appointed for an initial three-year term; and

3. A representative of city government, appointed for an initial two-year term.

D. The chair of the Council shall be the Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission or designee. Meetings shall be called by the chair.

E. 1. A majority of the membership of the Council constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business.

2. The Council shall meet at least twice each year, and the chair may call a meeting of the Council as often as necessary to transact business.

F. A member of the Council shall not:

1. Be an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a business entity that has, or an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a trade association for business entities that have, a substantial interest in the geographic information industry and are doing business with state agencies or other governmental units of the state;

2. Own, control, or have directly or indirectly, more than ten percent (10%) interest in a business entity that has a substantial interest in the geographic information industry and is doing business with state agencies or other governmental units of the state;

3. Be an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a business entity that is connected with any contract or bid for furnishing to any governmental body of the state with Geographic Information Systems, the computers on which they are automated, or a service related to Geographic Information Systems;

4. Be a person required to register as a lobbyist because of activities for compensation on behalf of a business entity that has, or on behalf of a trade association of business entities that have a substantial interest in the geographic information industry; or

5. Accept or receive money or another thing of value from an individual, firm, or corporation to whom a contract may be awarded, directly or indirectly, by rebate, gift or otherwise.

G. The duties of the Council shall include overseeing the Office of Geographic Information concerning the following:

1. Development, adoption, and recommendation of standards and procedures that may be applied to geographic information and Geographic Information Systems to promote consistency of data elements;

2. Development of a strategy for the implementation and funding of a statewide Geographic Information System;

3. Development, delivery, and periodic revision of a statewide geographic information plan and annually reporting to the Governor and the Legislature. Such a plan shall include, but not be limited to, provisions for training and education; and

4. Promotion of collaboration and sharing of data and data development as well as other aspects of Geographic Information Systems.

H. Neither the Council nor its members shall have the power to form or award contracts or to employ staff. Members appointed by the Governor shall serve without compensation.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 386, § 1, emerg. eff. June 11, 1994. Amended by Laws 1995, c. 150, § 1, emerg. eff. May 2, 1995; Laws 2001, c. 35, § 1, emerg. eff. April 9, 2001; Laws 2004, c. 365, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2004; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 1071.