Cy Smith, an active GIS advocate and former Oregon official, will begin later this month as Massachusetts' new geospatial information officer.

We need a national method for coordinating policies, data, tech and resources for supporting geospatial data sharing and application.

Lawmakers are planning to introduce an amendment to a landmark 2018 law that codified policies for sharing and using geospatial data.

Smith, who helped get the federal Geospatial Data Act passed, will serve in a newly created role at the National States Geographic Information Council.

The National Spatial Data Infrastructure is celebrating its 25th anniversary — but it remains an unrealized vision of geospatial data sharing.

On the first episode of StateScoop’s new “GIS Addressed” podcast, Oregon Geospatial Information Officer Cy Smith says the role is key to ensuring geographic information system success.