MN SF1298

Removes 10 discretionary powers from the Geospatial Information Office and retains only 3 core powers: reviewing GIS infrastructure, sponsoring collaborative projects, and reviewing alternative sourcing strategies.

Consolidates two separate advisory councils (statewide and state government) into a single Geospatial Advisory Council appointed by the chief information officer with members representing counties, cities, universities, business, nonprofits, federal and tribal governments, and state agencies.

Removes the 20% cap on state agency employee representation on the advisory council and eliminates the requirement for state government agency representatives.

Defines "electronic geospatial data" as digital data using geographic coordinates and associated descriptive information to locate and describe features on or below the earth's surface.

Requires government entities to share electronic geospatial data at no cost with other government entities and federal and tribal agencies, with civil liability immunity for shared data; limits data requests to four times per year unless required by law or court order.