A. There is hereby established an Office of Geographic Information in the Oklahoma Conservation Commission.

B. The Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission shall appoint, after consultation with the Council, a person of suitable training, experience, and knowledge to manage the Office with the title of State Geographic Information Coordinator who shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive Director.

C. The Office may solicit, receive and consider proposals for funding from any state agency, federal agency, local government, university, nonprofit organization, or private person or corporation. The Office may also solicit and accept money by grant, gift, bequest, or other conveyance recommended by the Geographic Information Council and approved by the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Additionally, the Office may receive a specific legislative appropriation within the appropriation for the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Any funds received by the Office shall be deposited into the Geographic Information Revolving Fund pursuant to Section 1501-205.2 of Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

D. The Office shall:

1. Provide staff support and technical assistance to the Council established pursuant to Section 1501-205.1 of Title 82 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

2. Establish a central statewide geographic information clearinghouse to maintain data inventories, information on current and planned Geographic Information System applications, information on grants available for the acquisition or enhancement of geographic information resources, and a directory of geographic information resources available within the state or from the federal government;

3. Coordinate any grant programs for local governments to establish and maintain Geographic Information Systems as such programs may be established by the Legislature;

4. Coordinate multiagency Geographic Information System projects, including working with state and local agencies in the development and maintenance of statewide data and Geographic Information Systems;

5. Provide access to both consulting and technical assistance, and education and training on the application and use of geographic information technologies to state and local agencies;

6. Develop, maintain, update, and interpret Geographic Information System standards under the direction of the Council and working with state and local agencies;

7. Provide Geographic Information System services, as requested, to agencies wishing to augment their Geographic Information System capabilities;

8. Evaluate, participate in pilot studies, and make recommendations on Geographic Information System hardware and software in cooperation with other agencies;

9. Prepare proposed legislation and funding proposals for the Legislature that will further coordinate and expedite the implementation of Geographic Information Systems as recommended by the Geographic Information Council and approved by the Executive Director of the Conservation Commission;

10. Address data sensitivity issues so that information is made available to the public but protects confidentiality of the information; and

11. Provide an annual report to the Governor and Legislature on the status and needs of the geographic information infrastructure of the State of Oklahoma.

E. The Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma Senate may cooperate with the Office of Geographic Information but shall be exempt from all requirements of this section.

Added by Laws 2004, c. 365, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2004.