Extract of “Geospatial Data Act of 2018” (GDA), (P.L. 115-254), H.R. 302, Subtitle F, Sections 751 – 759

v.10-18-2018 www.fgdc.gov 1

H.	R.	302

One Hundred Fifteenth Congress

of the

United States of America

AT	THE	SECOND	SESSION

Begun	and	held	at	the	City	of	Washington	on	Wednesday,

the	third	day	of	January,	two	thousand	and	eighteen

An Act

To	provide	protections	for	certain	sports	medicine	professionals,	to	reauthorize	Federal aviation	programs,	to	improve	aircraft	safety	

certification	processes,	and for	other	purposes.

Be	it	enacted	by	the	Senate	and	House	of	Representatives	of	the	United	States	of	America	in	Congress	assembled,

SECTION	1.	SHORT	TITLE;	TABLE	OF	CONTENTS.

(a)	SHORT	TITLE.	—This	Act	may	be	cited	as	the	‘‘FAA	Reauthorization	Act	of	2018’’.

(b)	TABLE	OF	CONTENTS.		...

H.R. 302 – FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Congress.gov webpage: 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/302/text

H.R. 302 – FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, Law text (.pdf):

https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr302/BILLS-115hr302enr.pdf

FGDC GDA webpage, materials, and this document: https://www.fgdc.gov/gda

Table of Contents

Subtitle F—Geospatial Data .....................................................................................................................2

SEC. 751. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS ............................................................................................................2

SEC. 752. DEFINITIONS.............................................................................................................................2

SEC. 753. FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE ...............................................................................3

SEC. 754. NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE.......................................................................5

SEC. 755. NATIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE.............................................................................8

SEC. 756. NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL DATA ASSET DATA THEMES.................................................................9

SEC. 757. GEOSPATIAL DATA STANDARDS..............................................................................................10

SEC. 758. GEOPLATFORM.......................................................................................................................11

SEC. 759. COVERED AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES......................................................................................12

SEC. 759A. LIMITATION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS..............................................................................13

SEC. 759B. SAVINGS PROVISION.............................................................................................................14

SEC. 759C. PRIVATE SECTOR...................................................................................................................14
Extract of “Geospatial Data Act of 2018” (GDA), (P.L. 115-254), H.R. 302, Subtitle F, Sections 751 – 759

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Subtitle F—Geospatial Data

SEC. 751. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.

(a) SHORT TITLE. —This subtitle may be cited as the ‘‘Geospatial Data Act of 2018’’.

(b) FINDINGS. —Congress finds that—

(1) open and publicly available data is essential to the successful operation of the GeoPlatform;

(2) the private sector in the United States, for the purposes of acquiring and producing quality 

geospatial data and geospatial data services, has been and continues to be invaluable in carrying 

out the varying missions of Federal departments and agencies, as well as contributing positively 

to the United States economy; and

(3) over the last 2 decades, Congress has passed legislation that promotes greater access and use 

of Government information and data, which has—

(A) sparked new, innovative start-ups and services;

(B) spurred economic growth in many sectors, such as in the geospatial services;

(C) advanced scientific research;

(D) promoted public access to Federally funded services and data; and

(E) improved access to geospatial data for the purposes of promoting public health, 

weather forecasting, economic development, environmental protection, flood zone

research, and other purposes.

SEC. 752. DEFINITIONS.

In this subtitle—

(1) the term ‘‘Advisory Committee’’ means the National Geospatial Advisory Committee 

established under section 754(a);

(2) the term ‘‘Committee’’ means the Federal Geographic Data Committee established under 

section 753(a);

(3) the term ‘‘covered agency’’—

(A) means—

(i) an Executive department, as defined in section 101 of title 5, United States 

Code, that collects, produces, acquires, maintains, distributes, uses, or preserves

geospatial data on paper or in electronic form to fulfill the mission of the 

Executive department, either directly or through a relationship with another

organization, including a State, local government, Indian tribe, institution of 

higher education, business partner or contractor of the Federal Government, and

the public;

(ii) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; or

(iii) the General Services Administration; and

(B) does not include the Department of Defense (including 30 components and agencies 

performing national missions) or any element of the intelligence community;

(4) the term ‘‘GeoPlatform’’ means the GeoPlatform described in section 758(a);

(5) the term ‘‘geospatial data’’—

(A) means information that is tied to a location on the Earth, including by identifying the 

geographic location and characteristics of natural or constructed features and boundaries 

on the Earth, and that is generally represented in vector datasets by points, lines, 

polygons, or other complex geographic features or phenomena;
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(B) may be derived from, among other things, remote sensing, mapping, and surveying 

technologies;

(C) includes images and raster datasets, aerial photographs, and other forms of geospatial 

data or datasets in digitized or non-digitized form; and

(D) does not include—

(i) geospatial data and activities of an Indian tribe not carried out, in whole or in 

part, using Federal funds, as determined by the tribal government;

(ii) classified national security-related geospatial data and activities of the 

Department of Defense, unless declassified;

(iii) classified national security-related geospatial data and activities of the 

Department of Energy, unless declassified;

(iv) geospatial data and activities under chapter 22 of title 10, United States 

Code, or section 110 of the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3045);

(v) intelligence geospatial data and activities, as determined by the Director of 

National Intelligence; or

(vi) certain declassified national security-related geospatial data and activities of 

the intelligence community, as determined by the Secretary of Defense, the 

Secretary of Energy, or the Director of National Intelligence;

(6) the term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ has the meaning given that term under section 4 of the Indian SelfDetermination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b);

(7) the term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the meaning given that term under section 102 

of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002);

(8) the term ‘‘intelligence community’’ has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the 

National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003);

(9) the term ‘‘lead covered agency’’ means a lead covered agency for a National Geospatial Data 

Asset data theme designated under section 756(b)(1);

(10) the term ‘‘local government’’ means any city, county, township, town, borough, parish, 

village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State;

(11) the term ‘‘metadata for geospatial data’’ means information about geospatial data, including 

the content, source, vintage, accuracy, condition, projection, method of collection, and other 

characteristics or descriptions of the geospatial data;

(12) the term ‘‘National Geospatial Data Asset data theme’’ means the National Geospatial Data 

Asset core geospatial datasets (including electronic records and coordinates) relating to a topic or 

subject designated under section 756;

(13) the term ‘‘National Spatial Data Infrastructure’’ means the technology, policies, criteria, 

standards, and employees necessary to promote geospatial data sharing throughout the Federal

Government, State, tribal, and local governments, and the private sector (including nonprofit 

organizations and institutions of higher education); and

(14) the term ‘‘proven practices’’ means methods and activities that advance the use of geospatial 

data for the benefit of society.

SEC. 753. FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE.

(a) IN GENERAL. —There is established within the Department of the Interior an interagency committee 

to be known as the Federal Geographic Data Committee, which shall act as the lead entity in the 

executive branch for the development, implementation, and review of policies, practices, and standards 

relating to geospatial data.
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(b) MEMBERSHIP. —

(1) CHAIRPERSON AND VICE CHAIRPERSON. —The Secretary of the Interior and the 

Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall serve as Chairperson of the Committee 

and Vice Chairperson of the Committee, respectively.

(2) OTHER MEMBERS. —

(A) IN GENERAL. —The head of each covered agency and the Director of the National 

Geospatial-Intelligence Agency shall each designate a representative of their respective 

agency to serve as a member of the Committee.

(B) REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTMENTS. —An officer appointed to serve as a 

member of the Committee shall hold a position as an assistant secretary, or an equivalent

position, or a higher ranking position.

(3) GUIDANCE. —Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and as needed 

thereafter, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall update guidance with 

respect to membership of the Committee and the roles of members of the Committee.

(c) DUTIES. —The Committee shall—

(1) lead the development and management of and operational decision making for the National 

Spatial Data Infrastructure strategic plan and geospatial data policy in accordance with section 

755;

(2) designate National Geospatial Data Asset data themes and oversee the coordinated 

management of the National Geospatial Data Asset data themes in accordance with section 756;

(3) establish and maintain geospatial data standards in accordance with section 757;

(4) periodically review and determine the extent to which covered agencies comply with 

geospatial data standards;

(5) ensure that the GeoPlatform operates in accordance with section 758;

(6) direct and facilitate national implementation of the system of National Geospatial Data Asset 

data themes;

(7) communicate with and foster communication among covered agencies and other entities and 

individuals relating to geospatial data technology development, transfer, and exchange in order 

to—

(A) identify and meet the needs of users of geospatial data;

(B) promote cost-effective data collection, documentation, maintenance, distribution, and 

preservation strategies; and

(C) leverage Federal and non-Federal resources, such as promoting Federal shared 

services and cross-agency coordination for marketplace solutions;

(8) define roles and responsibilities and promote and guide cooperation and coordination among 

agencies of the Federal Government, State, tribal, and local governments, institutions of higher 

education, and the private sector in the collection, production, sharing, and use of geospatial 

information, the implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure, and the identification 

of proven practices;

(9) coordinate with international organizations having an interest in the National Spatial Data 

Infrastructure or global spatial data infrastructures;

(10) make available online and update at least annually—

(A) a summary of the status for each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, based 

on the report submitted by the applicable lead covered agency under section 

756(b)(3)(E)(ii)(I), which shall include—

(i) an evaluation of the progress of each lead covered agency in achieving the 

requirements under subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of section 756(b)(3);

and
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(ii) a determination of whether, for each of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) 

of section 756(b)(3), each lead covered agency meets expectations, has made

progress toward expectations, or fails to meet expectations;

(B) a summary and evaluation of the achievements of each covered agency, based on the 

annual report submitted by the covered agency under section 759(b)(1), which shall 

include a determination of whether the covered agency meets expectations, has made 

progress toward expectations, or fails to meet expectations for each of paragraphs (1) 

through (13) of section 759(a);

(C) a collection of periodic technical publications, management articles, and reports 

related to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and

(D) a membership directory for the Committee, including identifying members of any 

subcommittee or working group of the Committee;

(11)

(A) make available to and request comments from the Advisory Committee regarding the 

summaries and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10);

(B) if requested by the Advisory Committee, respond to any comments by the Advisory 

Committee; and

(C) not less than once every 2 years, submit to Congress a report that includes the 

summaries and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10), 

the comments of the Advisory Committee, and the responses of the Committee to the 

comments;

(12)

(A) make available to and request comments from covered agencies regarding the 

summaries and evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (10);

and

(B) not less than once every 2 years, submit to Congress a report that includes the 

comments of the covered agencies and the responses of the Committee to the comments; 

and

(13) support and promote the infrastructure of networks, systems, services, and standards that 

provide a digital representation of the Earth to users for many applications.

(d) STAFF SUPPORT. —The Committee shall establish an Office of the Secretariat within the 

Department of the Interior to provide administrative support, strategic planning, funding, and technical 

support to the Committee.

SEC. 754. NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT. —The Secretary of the Interior shall establish within the Department of the 

Interior the National Geospatial Advisory Committee to provide advice and recommendations to the 

Chairperson of the Committee. 

(b) MEMBERSHIP. —

(1) COMPOSITION. —The Advisory Committee shall be composed of not more than 30 

members, at least one of which will be from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, who 

shall—

(A) be appointed by the Chairperson of the Committee; 

(B) be selected—

(i) to generally achieve a balanced representation of the viewpoints of various 

interested parties involved in national geospatial activities and the development 

of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and 
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(ii) with consideration of a geographic balance of residence of the members; and

(C) be selected from among groups involved in the geospatial community, including—

(i) States; 

(ii) local governments; 

(iii) regional governments; 

(iv) tribal governments; 

(v) private sector entities; 

(vi) geospatial information user industries; 

(vii) professional associations; 

(viii) scholarly associations; 

(ix) nonprofit organizations; 

(x) academia; 

(xi) licensed geospatial data acquisition professionals; and 

(xii) the Federal Government. 

(2) CHAIRPERSON.—The Chairperson of the Committee shall appoint the Chairperson of the 

Advisory Committee. 

(3) PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT; VACANCIES.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, with the term of 

1⁄3 of the members expiring each year. 

(B) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Advisory Committee shall not affect its powers, 

but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. 

(4) LIMIT ON TERMS.—Except for the member from the National Geospatial-Intelligence 

Agency, an individual—

(A) may not be appointed to more than 2 consecutive terms as a member of the Advisory 

Committee; and 

(B) after serving for 2 consecutive terms, is eligible to be appointed as a member of the 

Advisory Committee on and after the date that is 2 years after the end of the second 

consecutive term of the individual as a member of the Advisory Committee. 

(5) ETHICAL REQUIREMENTS.—A member of the Advisory Committee may not participate 

in any specific-party matter (including a lease, license, permit, contract, claim, agreement, or 

related litigation) with the Department of the Interior in which the member has a direct financial 

interest. 

(6) INCUMBENTS.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—An individual serving on the day before the date of enactment of 

this Act as a member of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee established by the 

Secretary of the Interior may serve as a member of the Advisory Committee until the end 

of the term of the individual under the appointment. 

(B) LIMIT ON TERMS.—Any period of service as a member of the National Geospatial 

Advisory Committee established by the Secretary of the Interior shall be considered a 

period of service as a member of the Advisory Committee for purposes of paragraph (4). 

(c) SUBCOMMITTEES. —A subcommittee of the Advisory Committee—

(1) may be formed for the purposes of compiling information or conducting research; 

(2) shall be composed of members appointed by the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee; 

(3) shall act under the direction of the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee and the officer or 

employee designated under section 10(e) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 

with respect to the Advisory Committee; 

(4) shall report the recommendations of the subcommittee to the Advisory Committee for 

consideration; and 

(5) shall meet as necessary to accomplish the objectives of the subcommittee, subject to the 

approval of the Chairperson of the Advisory Committee and the availability of resources. 
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(d) MEETINGS. —

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Chairperson, not less 

than 1 time each year and not more than 4 times each year. 

(2) QUORUM.—A majority of the members of the Advisory Committee shall constitute a 

quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold meetings or hearings. 

(e) DUTIES OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. —The Advisory Committee shall—

(1) provide advice and recommendations relating to—

(A) the management of Federal and national geospatial programs; 

(B) the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; and 

(C) implementation of this subtitle; 

(2) review and comment on geospatial policy and management issues; and 

(3) ensure the views of representatives of non-Federal interested parties involved in national 

geospatial activities are conveyed to the Committee. 

(f) POWERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. —

(1) MEETINGS.—The Advisory Committee may hold meetings (which shall be open to the 

public) and sit and act at such times and places as the Advisory Committee considers advisable to 

carry out this subtitle. 

(2) INFORMATION FROM COVERED AGENCIES.—

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Advisory Committee, with the concurrence of the Chairperson 

of the Committee, may secure directly from any covered agency such information as the 

Advisory Committee considers necessary to carry out this subtitle. Upon request of the 

Chairperson of the Advisory Committee, the head of such agency shall furnish such 

information to the Advisory Committee. 

(B) NONCOOPERATION.—The Advisory Committee shall include in the comments of 

the Advisory Committee submitted under section 753(c)(11) a discussion of any failure 

by a covered agency to furnish information in response to a request under subparagraph 

(A) of this paragraph. 

(3) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Advisory Committee may use the United States mails in the 

same manner and under the same conditions as other agencies of the Federal Government. 

(g) ADVISORY COMMITTEE PERSONNEL MATTERS. —

(1) NO COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—

(A) NON-FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Advisory Committee who is not 

an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall serve without compensation. 

(B) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—A member of the Advisory Committee who is an officer 

or employee of the Federal Government shall serve without compensation in addition to 

the compensation received for the services of the member as an officer or employee of 

the Federal Government. 

(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The members of the Advisory Committee shall be allowed travel 

expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies 

under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or 

regular places of business in the performance of services for the Advisory Committee. 

(3) DETAIL OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.—Any Federal Government employee may be 

detailed to the Committee to support the Advisory Committee without reimbursement, and such 

detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege. 

(4) STAFF SUPPORT. —The Office of the Secretariat established by the Committee under 

section 753(d) shall provide administrative support to the Advisory Committee. 
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(h) APPLICABILITY OF FACA. —

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Advisory Committee. 

(2) NO TERMINATION.—Section 14(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 

App.) shall not apply to the Advisory Committee. 

(i) TERMINATION. —

(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Advisory Committee shall 

terminate 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 

(2) CONTINUATION.—The Advisory Committee may be continued for successive 10-year 

periods by action taken by the Secretary of the Interior to renew the Advisory Committee before 

the date on which the Advisory Committee would otherwise terminate. 

SEC. 755. NATIONAL SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE.

(a) IN GENERAL. —The National Spatial Data Infrastructure shall ensure that geospatial data from 

multiple sources (including the covered agencies, State, local, and tribal governments, the private sector, 

and institutions of higher education) is available and easily integrated to enhance the understanding of the 

physical and cultural world.

(b) GOALS. —The goals of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure are to—

(1) ensure—

(A) that geospatial data are reviewed prior to disclosure to ensure—

(i) compliance with section 552a of title 5 (commonly known as the ‘‘Privacy 

Act of 1974’’); and

(ii) that personally identifiable information is not disclosed, which shall include 

an assessment of reidentification risk when determining what data constitute

personally identifiable information;

(B) that geospatial data are designed to enhance the accuracy of statistical information, 

both in raw form and in derived information products;

(C) free and open access for the public to geospatial data, information, and interpretive 

products, in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–130, or any 

successor thereto;

(D) the protection of proprietary interests related to licensed information and data; and

(E) the interoperability and sharing capabilities of Federal information systems and data 

to enable the drawing of resources from covered agencies and partners of covered

agencies; and

(2) support and advance the establishment of a Global Spatial Data 

Infrastructure, consistent with national security, national defense, national intelligence, and 

international trade requirements, including ensuring that covered agencies develop international 

geospatial data in accordance with international voluntary consensus standards, as defined in 

Office of Management and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor thereto.

(c) STRATEGIC PLAN. —The Committee shall prepare and maintain a strategic plan for the 

development and implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure in a manner consistent with 

national security, national defense, and emergency preparedness program policies regarding data 

accessibility.
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(d) ADVISORY ROLE. —The Committee shall advise Federal and non-Federal users of geospatial data 

on their responsibilities relating to implementation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.

SEC. 756. NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL DATA ASSET DATA THEMES.

(a) IN GENERAL. —The Committee shall designate as National Geospatial Data Asset data themes the 

primary topics and subjects for which the coordinated development, maintenance, and dissemination of 

geospatial data will benefit the Federal Government and the interests of the people of the United States, 

which shall—

(1) be representations of conceptual topics describing digital spatial information for the Nation; 

and

(2) contain associated datasets (with attribute records and coordinates)—

(A) that are documented, verifiable, and officially designated to meet recognized 

standards;

(B) that may be used in common; and

(C) from which other datasets may be derived.

(b) LEAD COVERED AGENCIES. —

(1) IN GENERAL. —For each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, the Committee shall 

designate one or more covered agencies as the lead covered agencies for the National Geospatial 

Data Asset data theme.

(2) GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY. —The lead covered agencies for a National Geospatial Data 

Asset data theme shall be responsible for ensuring the coordinated management of the data, 

supporting resources (including technology and personnel), and related services and products of 

the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme.

(3) SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES. —To assist in fulfilling the responsibilities under paragraph 

(2) with respect to a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, the lead covered agencies

shall—

(A) provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of geospatial 

data standards for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, with a particular

emphasis on a data content standard for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, 

including by—

(i) assessing existing standards;

(ii) identifying anticipated or needed data standards; and

(iii) developing a plan to originate and implement needed standards with relevant 

community and international practices—

(I) in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–

119, or any successor thereto; and

(II) consistent with or as a part of the plan described in subparagraph (B);

(B) provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of a plan for 

nationwide population of the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, which shall—

(i) include developing partnership programs with States, Indian tribes, 

institutions of higher education, private sector entities, other Federal agencies, 

and local governments;

(ii) meet the needs of users of geospatial data;

(iii) address human and financial resource needs;

(iv) identify needs relating to standards, metadata for geospatial data within the 

National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, and the GeoPlatform; and

(v) expedite the development of necessary National Geospatial Data Asset data 

themes;
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(C) establish goals that support the strategic plan for the National Spatial Data 

Infrastructure prepared under section 755(c);

(D) as necessary, collect and analyze information from users of geospatial data within the 

National Geospatial Data Asset data theme regarding the needs of the users for geospatial 

data and incorporate the needs of users in strategies relating to the National Geospatial 

Data Asset data theme; and

(E) as part of administering the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme—

(i) designate a point of contact within the lead covered agency who shall be 

responsible for developing, maintaining, coordination relating to, and 

disseminating data using the GeoPlatform;

(ii) submit to the Committee—

(I) a performance report, at least annually, that documents the activities 

relating to and implementation of the National Geospatial Data Asset 

data theme, including progress in achieving the requirements under 

subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D); and

(II) comments, as appropriate, regarding the summary and evaluation of 

the performance report provided by the Committee under section

753(c)(12);

(iii) publish maps or comparable graphics online (in accordance with the 

mapping conventions specified by the Committee) showing the extent and status 

of the National Geospatial Data Asset data themes for which the covered agency 

is a lead covered agency;

(iv) encourage individuals and entities that are a source of geospatial data or 

metadata for geospatial data for the National Geospatial Data Asset data theme to 

provide access to such data through the GeoPlatform;

(v) coordinate with the GeoPlatform; and

(vi) identify and publish proven practices for the use and application of 

geospatial data of the lead covered agency.

SEC. 757. GEOSPATIAL DATA STANDARDS.

(a) IN GENERAL. —In accordance with section 216 of the EGovernment Act of 2002 (44 U.S.C. 3501 

note), the Committee shall establish standards for each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme, 

which—

(1) shall include—

(A) rules, conditions, guidelines, and characteristics for the geospatial data within the 

National Geospatial Data Asset data theme and related processes, technology, and

organization; and

(B) content standards for metadata for geospatial data within the National Geospatial 

Data Asset data theme;

(2) to the maximum extent practicable, shall be consistent with international standards and 

protocols;

(3) shall include universal data standards that shall be acceptable for the purposes of declassified 

intelligence community data; and

(4) the Committee shall periodically review and update as necessary for the standards to remain 

current, relevant, and effective.
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(b) DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDS. —The Committee shall—

(1) develop and promulgate standards under this section—

(A) in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–119, or any 

successor thereto; and

(B) after consultation with a broad range of data users and providers;

(2) to the maximum extent possible, use national and international standards adopted by voluntary 

standards consensus bodies; and

(3) establish new standards only to the extent standards described in paragraph (2) do not exist.

(c) EXCLUSION. —The Secretary of the Interior shall withhold from public disclosure any information 

the disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national interest, security, or 

defense of the United States, including information relating to geospatial intelligence data activities, as 

determined in consultation with the Director of National Intelligence.

SEC. 758. GEOPLATFORM.

(a) IN GENERAL. —The Committee shall operate an electronic service that provides access to geospatial 

data and metadata for geospatial data to the general public, to be known as the GeoPlatform.

(b) IMPLEMENTATION. —

(1) IN GENERAL. —The GeoPlatform—

(A) shall—

(i) be available through the internet and other communications means;

(ii) be accessible through a common interface;

(iii) include metadata for all geospatial data collected by covered agencies, 

directly or indirectly;

(iv) include download access to all open geospatial data directly or indirectly 

collected by covered agencies; and

(v) include a set of programming instructions and standards providing an 

automated means of accessing available geospatial data, which—

(I) harmonize sources and data standards associated with geospatial data, 

including metadata; and

(II) to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the Chairperson 

of the Committee, shall be made publicly available;

(B) may include geospatial data from a source other than a covered agency, if determined 

appropriate by the Committee; and

(C) shall not store or serve proprietary information or data acquired under a license by the 

Federal Government, unless authorized by the data provider.

(2) MANAGING PARTNER. —The Chairperson of the Committee shall designate an agency to 

serve as the managing partner for developing and operating the GeoPlatform, taking direction 

from the Committee on the scope, functionality, and performance of the GeoPlatform.

(c) CLARIFICATION. —Although the GeoPlatform is intended to include all National Geospatial Data 

Asset and other Federal datasets, nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to prevent a covered agency 

from also presenting, providing, or disseminating data that is—

(1) specific to the functions of the covered agency; or

(2) targeted to information consumers that directly interface with the services, portals, or other 

mechanisms of the covered agency.
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SEC. 759. COVERED AGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES.

(a) IN GENERAL. —Each covered agency shall—

(1) prepare, maintain, publish, and implement a strategy for advancing geographic information 

and related geospatial data and activities appropriate to the mission of the covered agency, in 

support of the strategic plan for the National Spatial Data Infrastructure prepared under section 

755(c);

(2) collect, maintain, disseminate, and preserve geospatial data such that the resulting data, 

information, or products can be readily shared with other Federal agencies and non-Federal users;

(3) promote the integration of geospatial data from all sources;

(4) ensure that data information products and other records created in geospatial data and 

activities are included on agency record schedules that have been approved by the National

Archives and Records Administration;

(5) allocate resources to fulfill the responsibilities of effective geospatial data collection, 

production, and stewardship with regard to related activities of the covered agency, and as 

necessary to support the activities of the Committee;

(6) use the geospatial data standards, including the standards for metadata for geospatial data, and 

other appropriate standards, including documenting geospatial data with the relevant metadata 

and making metadata available through the GeoPlatform;

(7) coordinate and work in partnership with other Federal agencies, agencies of State, tribal, and 

local governments, institutions of higher education, and the private sector to efficiently and costeffectively collect, integrate, maintain, disseminate, and preserve geospatial data, building upon 

existing non- Federal geospatial data to the extent possible;

(8) use geospatial information to—

(A) make Federal geospatial information and services more useful to the public;

(B) enhance operations;

(C) support decision making; and

(D) enhance reporting to the public and to Congress;

(9) protect personal privacy and maintain confidentiality in accordance with Federal policy and 

law;

(10) participate in determining, when applicable, whether declassified data can contribute to and 

become a part of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure;

(11) search all sources, including the GeoPlatform, to determine if existing Federal, State, local, 

or private geospatial data meets the needs of the covered agency before expending funds for 

geospatial data collection;

(12) to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that a person receiving Federal funds for 

geospatial data collection provides high-quality data; and

(13) appoint a contact to coordinate with the lead covered agencies for collection, acquisition, 

maintenance, and dissemination of the National Geospatial Data Asset data themes used by the 

covered agency.

(b) REPORTING. —

(1) IN GENERAL. —Each covered agency shall submit to the Committee an annual report 

regarding the achievements of the covered agency in preparing and implementing the strategy

described in subsection (a)(1) and complying with the other requirements under subsection (a).

(2) BUDGET SUBMISSION. —Each covered agency shall—

(A) include geospatial data in preparing the budget submission of the covered agency to 

the President under sections 1105(a) and 1108 of title 31, United States Code;

(B) maintain an inventory of all geospatial data assets in accordance with OMB Circular 

A–130, or any successor thereto; and
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(C) prepare an annual report to Congress identifying Federal-wide geospatial data assets, 

as defined in OMB Circular A–16, as set forth in OMB memo M–11–03, Issuance of 

OMB Circular A–16 Supplemental Guidance (November 10, 2010), or any successor 

thereto.

(3) DISCLOSURE. —Each covered agency shall disclose each contract, cooperative agreement, 

grant, or other transaction that deals with geospatial data, which may include posting information 

relating to the contract, cooperative agreement, grant, or other transaction on 

www.USAspending.gov and www.itdashboard.gov, or any successors thereto.

(4) OMB REVIEW. —In reviewing the annual budget justifications submitted by covered 

agencies, the Office of Management and Budget shall take into consideration the summary and 

evaluations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 753(c)(10), comments, and 

replies to comments as required under paragraphs (11) and (12) of section 753(c), in its annual 

evaluation of the budget justification of each covered agency.

(5) REPORTING. —The Office of Management and Budget shall include a discussion of the 

summaries and evaluation of the progress in establishing the National Spatial Data Infrastructure

in each E-Government status report submitted under section 3606 of title 44, United States Code.

(c) AUDITS. —Not less than once every 2 years, the inspector general of a covered agency (or senior

ethics official of the covered agency for a covered agency without an inspector general) shall submit to 

Congress an audit of the collection, production, acquisition, maintenance, distribution, use, and 

preservation of geospatial data by the covered agency, which shall include a review of—

(1) the compliance of the covered agency with the standards for geospatial data, including 

metadata for geospatial data, established under section 757;

(2) the compliance of the covered agency with the requirements under subsection (a); and

(3) the compliance of the covered agency on the limitation on the use of Federal funds under 

section 759A.

SEC. 759A. LIMITATION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

(a) DEFINITION. —In this section, the term ‘‘implementation date’’ means the date that is 5 years after 

the date on which standards for each National Geospatial Data Asset data theme are established under 

section 757.

(b) LIMITATION. —Except as provided otherwise in this section, on and after the implementation date, a 

covered agency may not use Federal funds for the collection, production, acquisition, maintenance, or 

dissemination of geospatial data that does not comply with the applicable standards established under 

section 757, as determined by the Committee.

(c) EXCEPTION FOR EXISTING GEOSPATIAL DATA. —On and after the implementation date, a 

covered agency may use Federal funds to maintain and disseminate geospatial data that does not comply 

with the applicable standards established under section 757 if the geospatial data was collected, produced, 

or acquired by the covered agency before the implementation date.

(d) WAIVER. —

(1) IN GENERAL. —The Chairperson of the Committee may grant a waiver of the limitation 

under subsection (b), upon a request from a covered agency submitted in accordance with

paragraph (2).

(2) REQUIREMENTS. —A request for a waiver under paragraph (1) shall—

(A) be submitted not later than 30 days before the implementation date;

(B) provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for seeking a waiver;
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(C) provide a detailed plan to achieve compliance with the applicable standards 

established under section 757; and

(D) provide the date by which the covered agency shall achieve compliance with the 

applicable standards established under section 757.

(e) BEST EFFORTS TO COMPLY DURING TRANSITION. —During the period beginning on the date 

on which standards for a National Geospatial Data Asset data theme are established under section 757 and 

ending on the implementation date, each covered agency, to the maximum extent practicable, shall 

collect, produce, acquire, maintain, and disseminate geospatial data within the National Geospatial Data 

Asset data theme in accordance with the standards.

SEC. 759B. SAVINGS PROVISION.

Nothing in this subtitle shall repeal, amend, or supersede any existing law unless specifically provided in 

this subtitle.

SEC. 759C. PRIVATE SECTOR.

The Committee and each covered agency may, to the maximum extent practical, rely upon and use the 

private sector in the United States for the provision of geospatial data and services.