---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 2805"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "2805"
heading: "National Geospatial Data Asset data themes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/2805"
units:
  - "Chapter 46 — Geospatial Data"
---

# §2805. National Geospatial Data Asset data themes

- (a) **In general—** The [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) shall designate as [National Geospatial Data Asset data themes](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12) the primary topics and subjects for which the coordinated development, maintenance, and dissemination of [geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=5) will benefit the Federal Government and the interests of the people of the United States, which shall—
  - (1) be representations of conceptual topics describing digital spatial information for the Nation; and
  - (2) contain associated datasets (with attribute records and coordinates)—
    - (A) that are documented, verifiable, and officially designated to meet recognized standards;
    - (B) that may be used in common; and
    - (C) from which other datasets may be derived.
- (b) **Lead covered agencies—**
  - (1) **In general—** For each [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12), the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) shall designate one or more [covered agencies](/usc/43/2801.md?p=3) as the [lead covered agencies](/usc/43/2801.md?p=9) for the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12).
  - (2) **General responsibility—** The [lead covered agencies](/usc/43/2801.md?p=9) for a [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12) shall be responsible for ensuring the coordinated management of the data, supporting resources (including technology and personnel), and related services and products of the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12).
  - (3) **Specific responsibilities—** To assist in fulfilling the responsibilities under [paragraph (2)](#b-2) with respect to a [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12), the [lead covered agencies](/usc/43/2801.md?p=9) shall—
    - (A) provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of [geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=5) standards for the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12), with a particular emphasis on a data content standard for the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12), including by—
      - (i) assessing existing standards;
      - (ii) identifying anticipated or needed data standards; and
      - (iii) developing a plan to originate and implement needed standards with relevant community and international practices—
        - (I) in accordance with Office of Management and Budget Circular A–119, or any successor thereto; and
        - (II) consistent with or as a part of the plan described in [subparagraph (B)](#b-3-B);
    - (B) provide leadership and facilitate the development and implementation of a plan for nationwide population of the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12), which shall—
      - (i) include developing partnership programs with [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8), [Indian tribes](/usc/43/2801.md?p=6), institutions of higher education, private sector entities, other Federal agencies, and [local governments](/usc/43/2801.md?p=10);
      - (ii) meet the needs of users of [geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=5);
      - (iii) address human and financial resource needs;
      - (iv) identify needs relating to standards, [metadata for geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=11) within the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12), and the [GeoPlatform](/usc/43/2801.md?p=4); and
      - (v) expedite the development of necessary [National Geospatial Data Asset data themes](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12);
    - (C) establish goals that support the strategic plan for the [National Spatial Data Infrastructure](/usc/43/2801.md?p=13) prepared under [section 2804(c) of this title](/usc/43/2804.md?p=c);
    - (D) as necessary, collect and analyze information from users of [geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=5) within the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12) regarding the needs of the users for [geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=5) and incorporate the needs of users in strategies relating to the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12); and
    - (E) as part of administering the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12)—
      - (i) designate a point of contact within the [lead covered agency](/usc/43/2801.md?p=9) who shall be responsible for developing, maintaining, coordination relating to, and disseminating data using the [GeoPlatform](/usc/43/2801.md?p=4);
      - (ii) submit to the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2)—
        - (I) a performance report, at least annually, that documents the activities relating to and implementation of the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12), including progress in achieving the requirements under subparagraphs [(A)](#b-3-A), [(B)](#b-3-B), [(C)](#b-3-C), and [(D)](#b-3-D); and
        - (II) comments, as appropriate, regarding the summary and evaluation of the performance report provided by the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2) under [section 2802(c)(12) of this title](/usc/43/2802.md?p=c-12);
      - (iii) publish maps or comparable graphics online (in accordance with the mapping conventions specified by the [Committee](/usc/43/2801.md?p=2)) showing the extent and status of the [National Geospatial Data Asset data themes](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12) for which the [covered agency](/usc/43/2801.md?p=3) is a [lead covered agency](/usc/43/2801.md?p=9);
      - (iv) encourage individuals and entities that are a source of [geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=5) or [metadata for geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=11) for the [National Geospatial Data Asset data theme](/usc/43/2801.md?p=12) to provide access to such data through the [GeoPlatform](/usc/43/2801.md?p=4);
      - (v) coordinate with the [GeoPlatform](/usc/43/2801.md?p=4); and
      - (vi) identify and publish [proven practices](/usc/43/2801.md?p=14) for the use and application of [geospatial data](/usc/43/2801.md?p=5) of the [lead covered agency](/usc/43/2801.md?p=9).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–254, div. B, title VII, § 756, Oct. 5, 2018, 132 Stat. 3421.)