Legislative Issues

112th Congress (2011-2012) Issue Papers

Flood Insurance Mapping Reform
"To Improve National Flood Mapping"
Flood Insurance Mapping Reform (FIRM) Act Issue Paper (2011)

Federal Land Asset Inventory Reform (FLAIR) Act
"To Improve Federal Land Stewardship"
Federal Land Inventory Reform (FLAIR) Act Issue Paper (2011)

Map It Once, Use it Many Times (MIO-UIMT) Act
"To Improve Federal Geospatial Coordination"
Map It Once, Use It Many Times (MIO-UIMT) Act (2011)

Freedom From Government Competition (FFGCA) Act
"To Reduce Unfair Government Competition with Private Geospatial Firms"
MAPPS Government Competition Issue Paper (2011)

• Do you want to sponsor or cosponsor legislation on the MAPPS agenda?
• Do you have a question, comment, or suggestion regarding MAPPS geospatial legislation?
• Do you want to create or join a Congressional Geospatial Caucus?

Please contact John "JB" Byrd, MAPPS Government Affairs Manager at 703-201-9585 or jbyrd@mapps.org.

2011 Governors and Legislatures Chart

2010/2011 Governors and Legislatures Shaded comparison

2010/2011 Governors and Legislature Comparison Chart

Liaisons

• USGS Liaison
• FEMA/DHS/DOD Liaison Combine
• NGA Liaison
• NOAA Liaison
• TSA/FAA Liaison
• USDA Liaison

Geospatial Lines of Business
Coordination of Geographic Information and Related Spatial Data Activities Issuance of OMB Circular A-16 Supplemental Guidance

Privacy

MAPPS Submits Comments to Commerce Department

Call to Action: "Privacy" Regulations Threaten Geospatial Profession

Suggested Bullet Points for Federal Trade Commission Comments

MAPPS Executive Director, John Palatiello, presentation to National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC) on privacy December 7, 2010

MAPPS Urges FCC to Not Over-Regulate the Geospatial Marketplace

Rep. Boucher (D-VA, 9th) Draft "Privacy" Bill

MAPPS Comments on Rep. Boucher Draft "Privacy" Bill

Technology Issues

MAPPS Letter to FCC Technical Working Group (TWG) on Study of LightSquared Threat to GPS July 25, 2011

MAPPS Letter to FCC LightSquared Application Request for Modification of Its Authority for Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) February 7, 2011

UPDATE: MAPPS Comments Regarding LiDAR in response to FAA Reauthorization Amendment Laser Pointer Reference July 2011

MAPPS Comments Regarding LiDAR in response to FAA Reauthorization Amendment Laser Pointer Reference

Laser Pointer Definition Amendment to FAA Reauthorization

MAPPS Endorsements and Support

• MAPPS Supports President Obama's STEM Education Initiative

Healthcare

MAPPS Urges House Committee to Include Healthcare GIS in Healthcare Replacement Bill

MAPPS Letter to Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius March, 26, 2010

MAPPS Healthcare GIS Issue Paper - Need for a Coordinated GIS Program in the Healthcare Bill 2009

Imagery For The Nation (IFTN)

MAPPS Reaffirms Support for IFTN Concept, Urges Resolution of Issues
MAPPS has reaffirmed its support for the concept of an Imagery for the Nation program, a position first taken in 2006, and renewed its call for resolution of outstanding issues. In an August 4 letter to Acting FGDC Chairman Karen Siderelis, MAPPS President Jeff Lovin indicated that MAPPS and the National Geospatial Advisory Committee have both sought decisions by the Federal Government so that IFTN can move forward and be funded and implemented. The letter reflects discussions conducted by the MAPPS Board of Directors on Cape Cod in June. To view the letter, click here.

FGDC Decision Document on IFTN

Global Climate Change

• MAPPS Comments on NOAA's Next Generation Strategic Plan, August 2010
  
• Global Climate Change Data Collection Act of 2009
  
• American Clean Energy and Security Act 2009, HR 2454
  
• Climate Change: The Geospatial Profession's Role

Cadastre and Parcel Data

MAPPS Applauds Parcel Provision in Senate-Passed Financial Services Reform Bill — Parcel ID Number Collection Provides an 'Early Warning System'

Letter to Senator Richard Shelby supporting inclusion of Section 1092 in S. 3217

Letter to Senate Banking Committee Chairman, Senator Chris Dodd, MAPPS commending Parcel Data to create "Early Warning System"

Subcommittee on Energy and Minerals U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources - MAPPS Testimony July 23, 2009

• Testimony: Susan Marlow, Smart Data Strategies, President
  
• Testimony: John Palatiello, MAPPS Executive Director
  

Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services - MAPPS Testimony September 17, 2009

• Testimony: Susan Marlow, Smart Data Strategies, President
  
• Subcommittee on Financial Services Website and archived webcast
  
• "Government Looks to Technology to Regulate Risk" - Securities Industry
  
• "Government needs smarter IT to oversee bailout, financial overhaul" - Next Gov

Government Competition

• MAPPS Signs Letter with 309 Organizations Opposing DISCLOSE Act, S. 3628
  
• MAPPS Members Urged to Comment on Obama Administration's Inherently Governmental Proposal — Deadline June 1, 2010
  
• MAPPS Sends Letter to Iowa Governor, Department of Transportation, Opposing Mobile LiDAR System Purchase
  
• Iowa Department of Transporation Response to MAPPS Letter
  
• Letter to President Obama Addressing Government Competition, Use of Planes and Aerial Cameras
  
• Letter to OMB Director Peter Orszag, Urging Stimulus Funding Released for Contracts
  
• Letter to Missouri Senator Brad Lager on S.B. 384, Limiting Use of LIS or GIS for Boundary and Cadastal Data.
  
• MAPPS, COFPAES Seek SmartBuy Clarification

University Competition

• Letter to Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley on University Competition
  
• Letter to MD Comptroller Peter Franchot on University Competition
  
• Letter to Florida International University President Modesto Maidique on University Competition

Tax Issues

• Are You A Vendor
  
• MAPPS Sales Tax Presentation
  
• MAPPS Letter to Department of Labor Regarding Federal and State laws terminology and tax policy , July 2006
  
• John Byrd, MAPPS Government Affairs Manager, Testimony Before Treasury Department Against 3% Federal Contractor Withholding
  
• MAPPS Notice to Membership on State Taxes and Terminology for Professional Geospatial Services, June 2009

MAPPS Legislative Process Flowchart
Calendar depicts the timeline for MAPPS legislative issue development & advocacy execution.

Flowchart Background
Annual legislative process, terminology, and stakeholders are explained in detail by quarter.

Archived Issue Papers and MAPPS Legislative Initiatives

MAPPS PAC
"MAPPS Political Action Committee (PAC)"
Learn More

Capitol Coverage
Twice-monthly report of relevant National & State geospatial news, Federal & State geospatial legislation, Federal Regulations, Government reports and Federal procurement opportunities.
Available to MAPPS Members Only.