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HOT NEWS ITEMS:
JUNE 2008 FEATURE NEWS

Imagery Business & Best Practices Project and Phase 2 Strategic Planning Project Final Reports are now available:

• Phase 2 Strategic Planning Project Final Report
  
• Imagery Business & Best Practices Project Final Report
  

Vote for CGIA Board: June 2-13
Voting for CGIA Board positions begins June 2nd. All current members (and anyone who joins before June 6th) are encouraged to participate in the election process for the 2008-09 CGIA Board. Voting will be electronic; all members will receive a link to an e-ballot via email.

The deadline to cast your vote is June 13.

CalGIS2008 Panel Discussion
CGIA board members Bill Budke and Chris Lewis, and CalGIS Education Track Builder Binita Sinha, organized a panel discussion at CalGIS 2008 regarding issues currently facing the professional GIS community. Topics discussed included enrollment challenges, advisory committees, internships, marketing programs, and the Geographic Information Science & Technology Body of Knowledge. Read a summary of the Panel Discussion here.

CalGIS2008 Photo Gallery
The April CalGIS 2008 conference was a huge hit! In addition to an exhibit hall, awards ceremony, conference social and educational workshops, the 14th Annual conference offered plenty of opportunities to network with GIS professionals across the state.

Check out photos from CalGIS 2008 here.

Public Records Access Amicus Brief: CGIA Position

The California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) recently won the lawsuit enforcing California's Public Record Act by requiring Santa Clara County to provide its GIS parcel basemap at the cost of duplication, instead of its current price of $ 158,000. The County appealed the decision, and the Court of Appeals agreed to receive arguments on the case until April 30. Bruce Joffe, Principal of GIS Consultants Inc, composed an Amicus Brief regarding the importance of public access to GIS data.

As the Amicus Brief delineates, beyond issues of copyright and national security, this case impacts the GIS community because it involves "certain technical information about GIS basemaps, and the benefit to the public that they enable when they are made available as governmental public records." In short, the Amicus Brief is important because it is about "enforcing the public record law as it is written, as endorsed by the California Attorney General, and as validated by the Superior Court. Santa Clara County is exercising its right to appeal the decision, and this judicial procedure is all part of the process by which the public's right to keep its government accountable can be made real."

After reviewing the Amicus Brief within the context of an ongoing lawsuit, the Board decided that it did not want to take a position either for or against one of the parties in the lawsuit. Instead, the CGIA Board would prefer being in a position of supporting a negotiated settlement that balances the interests of both parties, with an emphasis on making data accessible to the public.

Read the full Amicus Brief here.

CGIA Membership Drive 2008-09: Be in the Know - Join CGIA!

Now is the time to join CGIA for 2008-09.

• Current Members: Have you renewed your membership for 2008-09? Remember, your support makes the California Geographic Information Association possible.
• If you are not currently a member, please consider joining California's premier GIS leadership association.

Our Membership Benefits Page offers details on why CGIA membership is so great. Check it out here.

More than a Map: Executive Forum June 19 at the Hyatt Regency, Sacramento

If you are a California state legislator, member of the Governor's Cabinet, or a Department/Program Head for a California state government department, join us for a California Executive Forum, entitled, "More Than a Map: How Government Agencies are Collaborating on Geographic Information for Better Public Services." The forum, to be held June 19th at the Hyatt Regency in Sacramento, represents a unique opportunity for state leaders and policy makers to focus on the expanding potential of geographic information technology.

The "More Than A Map" event promises to demonstrate ways that California government can leverage technology advancements in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support:

• A safer California
• Mobilizing California
• A growing California
• An open California
• A healthy California
• A greener California

As seating capacity is limited for the event, special invitations will be directly mailed to invited policy makers and legislators. If you would like more information, call Sherilyn Hammond at 916-200-6600 or you may register by emailing register@pspinfo.us.

For more information including an agenda of the day's activities, click here.

CGIA Board Position on AB1978
After careful review, the CGIA Board has taken an advisory position to oppose AB1978.

Proposed state legislation AB1978 would amend the State of California Public Records Act to modify the meaning of the term “software” which is currently exempted by the Public Records Act. Consequently, a state or local agency could to sell, lease, and license the “software” (including mapping systems as defined below) for commercial or noncommercial use.

Current law requires state and local agencies to make their records available during regular business hours and, upon request, to provide a copy of a record upon payment of any applicable fee, unless an exemption from disclosure applies. Additionally, the current law allows a state or local agency to sell, lease, and license the software for commercial or noncommercial use.

The CGIA Board Position on AB1978 is available for download here.

Geographic Information Systems: Technology for a Changing Climate
CED (California Environmental Dialogue) releases report on planning for a changing climate. CED, a collaborative effort of California businesses, environmental groups and government agencies, believes that an improved Geographic Information Systems (GIS) toolbox would allow the State to more accurately assess the long-term spatial impacts of climate change on existing infrastructure systems and various infrastructure alternatives. For more information, download the report (PDF).

CGIA Membership
Have you renewed your CGIA membership? We need your support.

Like a public radio station, CGIA cannot continue to serve the nearly 700 people who receive the monthly NewsFlash without the financial support of our members.

Thank you for remembering to renew your membership for 2007-08. We are counting on your support.

Membership Form | Membership Flyer

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CGIA extends a special "Thank You" to the California Resources Agency for their hosting of our web site. This special arrangement reflects the close working relationship that exists between our two organizations and our mutual interests in using geospatial technologies to improve government services.