Great news everyone the Geospatial Data Act of 2018 was passed!
In the summary written by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), “The Geospatial Data Act establishes: (1) in the Office of Management and Budget, the Federal Geographic Data Committee (the committee), which shall be the lead entity in the executive branch for the development, implementation, and review of policies, practices, and standards relating to geospatial data; and (2) in the Department of the Interior, the National Geospatial Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the committee.
The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (as defined in the bill) shall ensure that geospatial data from multiple sources is available and easily integrated to enhance the understanding of the physical and cultural world.
Joe Young
Moose Hill, Fayette