HB97 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Geographic Information Technology; to recognize the Geographic Information Executive Council, the Geographic Information Program Office, the Advisory Committee, and to provide for coordination with the 911 Board

Summary

HB97 creates a formal statewide Geographic Information governance system in Alabama, including a Council, Office, and Advisory Committee, and coordinates GIS management with the 911 Board for emergency services.

What This Bill Does

It establishes the Alabama Geographic Information Executive Council, the Geographic Information Program Office (GIS Office), the State Geographic Information Officer (GIO), and an Advisory Committee to guide and coordinate GIS work across state and local governments. The GIS Office, managed within the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, will coordinate geospatial data, maintain a central data repository and master index, identify duplicative GIS efforts, and ensure data standards and real-time data quality. The 911 Board is designated as the sole authority for gathering, remediating, and maintaining GIS data used for emergency 911 services, and must coordinate with the GIS Office and Council to avoid duplication. The bill also creates funding and governance structures, appoints diverse membership, and requires reporting and NG911 alignment, with the act taking effect October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• State and local government GIS staff who will coordinate under the new Council and GIS Office
• The 911 Board and local emergency communication districts as the primary data authority for 911 GIS data and their coordination with the GIS Office
• Alabama residents and public safety agencies who should benefit from improved GIS data quality for emergency services
• Geospatial professionals, utilities, and private sector stakeholders who will participate via the Advisory Committee and related processes

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Geographic Information Executive Council, the Geographic Information Program Office (GIS Office), the State Geographic Information Officer (GIO), and an Advisory Committee with defined duties to coordinate GIS work across state and local levels.
• Houses the GIS Office as a division of ALEA; the GIO and a deputy are appointed by the ALEA Secretary and manage central GIS operations, including a master index, central data repository, data standards, and coordination of interagency GIS efforts.
• Designates the 911 Board as the sole authority for gathering, remediation, and maintenance of GIS data used for emergency 911 services, with requirements to coordinate with the GIS Office and Executive Council and to support NG911 readiness.
• Creates an Advisory Committee chaired by the GIO to represent diverse statewide stakeholders and advise the Council on GIS policy, data sharing, and coordination.
• Provides funding mechanisms for the GIS Office (State General Fund or Education Trust Fund, gifts/grants) and mandates accounting to ALEA; allows cost recovery for services and contracts.
• Details appointment and governance rules for the Executive Council and 911 Board members, including diversity requirements, term lengths, staggered terms, and Senate confirmation for certain terms.
• Amends Section 11-98-4.1 to formalize the 911 Board’s GIS data responsibilities and transition CMRS funding into the 911 Fund, aligning emergency data management with the statewide GIS framework.
• Effective date of October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano-2025-08-07 on Mar 3, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Public Safety & Emergencies