URISA Policy Watch
The URISA Board of Directors frequently takes action to respond to various policy issues that may have an impact on the membership.
JUNE 15, 2007 - Judge Issues Decision on MAPPS Case
Joint Press Release Issued by Amicus Brief Signers
April 3, 2007 - Setting the Record Straight - legal response to a recent press release
January/February issue of URISA News - comprehensive coverage of the Brooks Act Litigation
February 16, 2007 - GIS Monitor interview on the issue with Ed Wells (URISA President) and Al Butler (URISA Board member)
February 16, 2007 - Two-page legal briefing on case
February 8, 2007 - URISA Board of Directors’ Position in MAPPS, et al. v. the United States of America
January 24, 2007 - Brooks Act Litigation
The URISA Board, along with the Association of American Geographers (AAG), GIS Certification Institute (GISCI), Geospatial Information Technology Association (GITA) and the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS) recently signed an Amicus Brief (an Amicus Curiae or "Friend of the Court" brief is a a brief presented by someone interested in influencing the outcome of a lawsuit but who is not a party to it) to oppose a U.S. federal lawsuit filed by MAPPS (Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors) and three other groups that seeks to limit all federal government contracting for surveying and mapping activities, including GIS and remote sensing, to licensed engineers and surveyors.
Read the complete Amicus Curiae Brief submitted to the Court on January 24, 2007
Background documents and information gathered by the AAG http://www.aag.org/Donate/links.html
MAPPS website and explanation of their case
http://www.mapps.org/QBSlawsuit.asp
The US Government response to the MAPPS’ Opposition to Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss (.pdf file)
Judges summary of the case and refusal to dismiss the case based upon challenges to the Plaintiffs’ legal ‘standing’ (.pdf file)
Directions Magazine's coverage of the story
January, 2007
- URISA Board Provides Comments on Establishment of the National Geospatial Advisory Committee (NGAC)
September, 2006 - URISA Board Supports Full Funding for US Census
May, 2006 - URISA Board Responds to Geospatial Line of Business RFI
To provide feedback to the URISA Board, please email Wendy Nelson or call (847) 824-6300.