Understanding the Path to Adoption

NSRS Modernization: Federal and State Process for Adoption

The Federal Path to Adoption

Before the modernized NSRS becomes adopted, it moves through a defined federal review process:

1. Beta Public Feedback Period - A window for agencies and practitioners to test the modernized tools and datasets, identify issues, and submit feedback. This period is ongoing as remaining beta components are released and will not close sooner than six months after the last beta release. TSRC will announce when the final beta tool is released and the 6-month window starts.

2. Federal Geodetic Control Subcommittee (FGCS) Review - The FGCS is the technical committee of geodesy experts across the federal government. It was established to promote standards of accuracy in geodetic data funded by the federal government, exchange information on new technology for acquiring geodetic data, and encourage federal and non-federal organizations to adopt geodetic data standards. The Subcommittee is chaired by the Director of the National Geodetic Survey. FGCS reviews the modernized system and issues a recommendation. Once they have issued a recommendation to adopt the process moves to FGDC for vote.

3. Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Vote - FGDC is the United States government committee that promotes coordinated development, use, sharing, and dissemination of geospatial data nationally. FGDC is the higher-level committee that gives final, official sign-off once the technical committee (FGCS) has recommended it. Their vote to adopt moves the process into official federal adoption.

4. Federal Register Notice - Once a vote to adopt is received from FGDC, the change is published in the Federal Register, making it official at the federal level, triggering NGS adoption.

The Texas State Path to Adoption

Once federal adoption of the modernized NSRS is official, it then moves through a defined state review and adoption process.

1. Readiness Evaluation - TSRC assesses whether Texas's geospatial community, agencies, and tools are prepared for the transition.

2. Stakeholder Coordination - TSRC coordinates with Texas's surveying and geospatial community, including TxDOT, TSPS, TxGIO, and other state agencies, to align timing and implementation.

3. Agency Input - NOAA, NGS, and the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) all have a voice in the adoption decision, consistent with the coordination role established under Texas Education Code § 88.503.

4. Advance Public Notice - TSRC will publish Texas's official adoption date well in advance, so practitioners, agencies, and vendors have time to prepare rather than react. The timeline will be set once the readiness evaluation has been completed.

5. Formal Adoption - Texas's coordinate system is officially updated under TSRC's statutory authority and reflected on TSRC's Coordinate Systems page.