SD17 - The Feasibility of a State Coordinator for Mapping, Surveying, and Land Information Systems

  • Published: 1987
  • Author: Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: Senate Joint Resolution 80 (Regular Session, 1986)

Executive Summary:
A revolution is occurring in land records and land information systems technology and applications. The efforts of local governments and state agencies of the Commonwealth need to be coordinated, guided by minimum standards, and in many cases assisted by technical advice. In recognition of this fact, the Virginia General Assembly, through Senate Joint Resolution 80 of the 1986 Session, established this Joint Subcommittee to consider the feasibility of establishing a state coordinator for mapping, surveying, and land information systems.

Senate members appointed to the Joint Subcommittee were Wiley F. Mitchell, Jr., of Alexandria, who was the chief patron of SJR 80, and Virgil H. Goode, Jr., of Franklin County. Mitchell Van Yahres of Charlottesville, William S. Moore, Jr., of Portsmouth, and Charles R. Hawkins of Pittsylvania County were named from the House of Delegates. Citizen members appointed by the Speaker of the House included John H. Bartenstein, P.E., of Warrenton, Margaret S. Maizel of Clarke County, and the Honorable Robert C. Wininger of the Scott County Board of Supervisors. Senator Mitchell was elected Chairman and Mr. Van Yahres Vice-Chairman at the first meeting of the Joint Subcommittee.

The Joint Subcommittee held three meetings, all in Richmond. At the first meeting on June 10 the Subcommittee heard testimony from a number of local officials and representatives of the private sector which documented the growing involvement of localities with modern land information systems and the need for technical advice and assistance in their efforts. Highlighted at the second meeting on July 16 were reports from various state agencies and universities on their mapping and other land information activities. The thrust of this testimony was to demonstrate that while a considerable amount of activity is taking place and several state agencies make services available to localities, there is no one state office which provides coordination and standards for these state and local efforts or is clearly identified as the source of technical advice at the state level. The Subcommittee invited Mr. Donald P. Holloway, Director of North Carolina's Land Records Management Program, to its final meeting on September 16. The North Carolina Program is considered one of the best in the nation in assisting local governments to modernize their land records and build a base for additional information systems applications. The major focus of its activities seemed to the Subcommittee to be particularly applicable to the needs in Virginia which had been identified at the two earlier sessions. A brief description of the North Carolina program is included as Appendix A of this report.

SUMMARY OF RECOMVIMENDATIONS

As a result of its study, the Joint Subcommittee recommends that:

1. An Office of the State Coordinator of Mapping, Surveying, and Land Information Systems be established in the Office of the Governor, and that the Office of the Coordinator administratively be situated under the Secretary of Administration.

2. That the director of the Office be known as the State Coordinator. The State Coordinator should be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the General Assembly. The Coordinator in turn should be authorized an initial staff of three other professionals and the necessary clerical support.

3. The functions of the State Coordinator's Office should include providing technical advice and assistance to local governments and planning agencies in improving land records and land information systems, promoting the development of voluntary standards for such systems, carrying out directly or otherwise providing for training programs, and serving as a clearing house for information. The Office should not directly provide mapping or other types of services, however.

4. An Advisory Council on Mapping, Surveying, and Land Information Systems should be established to assist the Coordinator in the development of standards and otherwise to advise and consult with the Coordinator as to the promotion of land records and land information modernization in the Commonwealth. The Advisory Council should be composed of representatives of local governmental and planning organizations as well as representatives of various professional associations whose work is directly related to land information systems. The Council should terminate after a five year period unless legislative action is taken to extend its existence.