Lawmakers are planning to introduce an amendment to a landmark 2018 law that codified policies for sharing and using geospatial data.

Smith, who helped get the federal Geospatial Data Act passed, will serve in a newly created role at the National States Geographic Information Council.

A new report card on state GIS performance shows weak links that the National States Geographic Information Council says need to be repaired.

Experts say the Geospatial Data Act will address longstanding shortcomings in national standards and policies.

If passed, the legislation is thought to fill gaps in geospatial data governance left vacant for more than 20 years.

Some say existing language in the legislation designed to support the geospatial technologies industry would unfairly exclude many firms from bidding on federal contracts.