(a) The Office of Policy and Management shall constitute a successor department to the Geospatial Information Systems Council in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d and 4-39.

(b) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall coordinate geospatial information system capacity for municipalities, regional councils of governments and the state and establish policies for the collection, management and distribution of geospatial information. The secretary shall set standards for the acquisition, management and reporting of geospatial information and the acquisition, creation or use of applications employing such information by any executive branch agency. In establishing such capacity, policies or standards the secretary shall consult with municipalities, regional councils of governments, state agencies and other users of geospatial information system technology. The purpose of any such system shall be to facilitate communication and coordination regarding the use of geospatial information system technology, eliminate duplicative use of such technology and expand the use of geospatial information within the state.

(c) The secretary may apply for federal grants and may accept and expend such grants on behalf of the state.

(d) The secretary shall, within available appropriations, administer a program of technical assistance to municipalities and regional councils of governments to develop geospatial information systems and shall periodically recommend improvements to the geospatial information system provided for in subsection (b) of this section.

(e) On or before January 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the secretary shall submit, in accordance with § 11-4a, a report on activities under this section to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to planning and development.