Senate Bill 461 One map for Indiana. Sen. Ford:
Provides that the state data center shall develop and maintain the Indiana map, an electronic map of Indiana. Provides that the state data center shall provide public access to Indiana map data, except for data that the governor designates as a security risk. Provides that the state data center shall serve as the state names authority for Indiana under federal law. Establishes the electronic map maintenance fund.
This could potentially be useful if administered well. It calls for the development of one Indiana electronic map, including the integration of data developed and maintained by state agencies and political subdivisions. But, I’m kind of a techno-geek and love maps, so this one kind of caters to me.
[tags]SB461-2007[/tags]
This is something I’m glad to see as well. We are already ahead of many states in this area. Look at Google Earth at the US level, and you’ll notice the outline of Indiana even if you don’t have the state lines turned on. We pay for updated images frequently, and many states haven’t even done the first pass.
A number of the counties, such as Hamilton, provide very good mapping data via the web, tied in to property records.
I hope the bill provides a good outline for state-county cooperation on this, without becoming an unfunded mandate for the counties to prepare and provide mapping data.