[GSDI Legal Econ] Free GI in USA - at State level - not always.

[Roger Longhorn]

Have a read and let us know what you think about this potential State of 
California statute (not yet a legislative Bill).

By Bruce Joffe, 4 March, in Directions Magazine:

On February 14, 2008, California State Assemblymember Jose Solorio 
introduced a bill, AB1978, to amend Government Code Section 6254.9 of 
the California Public Records Act (CPRA). As stated in the "Computer 
Mapping Systems Fact Sheet" issued by his office, the bill seeks to 
improve the current definition of what constitutes a “computer mapping 
system.” In fact, the bill distorts the definition of "computer mapping 
system" further from reality. Moreover, if enacted, this bill would 
severely weaken the CPRA and reduce the public's access to its 
governments' records. ...

read on...

http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2701

And the Bill 'Fact Sheet' ...

http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=2702&trv=1

from which...

*Problem *
Existing law lacks a definition of what constitutes a "computer mapping 
system." Computer mapping systems are not considered "public records" 
under the California Public Records Act.

*Legislative Solution*
This bill will clarify the definition of "computer mapping systems" 
under the California Public Records Act. Additionally, this bill would 
allow commercial interests, who are most benefited by these systems, to 
obtain the portion of computer mapping systems, developed by an agency, 
at a fee designed to offset the agency’s cost of maintenance for the 
computer mapping system.

<ends>

So the next question is - what is the actual 'cost of maintenance for a 
computer mapping system'? It is as clear as mud to me.

Kind regards

Roger
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