HOT NEWS ITEMS:
APRIL 2008 FEATURE NEWS

Imagery Project Status Report & Workshop Synopses

The Imagery Business Plan and Best Practices Project status report is available for the month of March. Prepared by Bill Zeman of GeoSpatial Consulting Services and Paul Van Zuyle of Westlake GIS, the document and accompanying five workshop synopses offer a project status snapshot and provide a summary of input from each of the five workshops. To read the Status Report and summaries from the AMBAG, CIRGIS, LARIAC, SACOG and SANDAG Workshops, click the links below:

• 04/21/08 Pre-Final Report
• Imagery Project March Status Report
• AMBAG Workshop Synopsis
• CIRGIS Workshop Synopsis
• LARIAC Workshop Synopsis
• SACOG Workshop Synopsis
• SANDAG Workshop Synopsis

Strategic Planning Project Monthly Status Report

The prefinal report for the Strategic Planning Project is now available here. The March Status Report for the Strategic Planning Project is available here.

Call For Papers: More than a Map - How Government Agencies are collaborating on Geographic Information for Better Public Services

CGIA is seeking presenters to help make the business case for GIS to Government Executives and Policy Makers during an event scheduled for June 19, 2008 in Sacramento, California. A host of public policy areas will be discussed during the event to make California safer and greener among other things. Participants will have 30 minutes for their presentations including time for questions and answers. Proposal Forms are due by close of business, Friday, April 18, 2008.

• Event Overview
• Call for Papers
• Mobilizing California - 511 Solution

For more information and a proposal presentation form, click here.

CalGIS2008 - April 23-25
CalGIS 2008 is this month! The 14th Annual conference offers educational workshops, opportunities to share industry best practices, an exhibit hall with the latest and greatest in GIS technology, plus plenty of opportunities to network with professionals across the state. Check out www.calgis.org for more information or last-minute registration.

Following is a schedule of CGIA-hosted events during the 2008 CalGIS Conference:

CalGIS 2008
April 23rd -25th
DoubleTree Hotel, 1150 Ninth Street, Modesto, CA

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.