What significant step did URISA take in 1999 regarding GIS certification?

In 1999, URISA (the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association) took a crucial step in recognizing the importance of professional standards in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) field by creating a committee to explore GIS certification. This initiative was significant because it marked the beginning of structured efforts to establish a certification program for GIS professionals, which aimed to enhance professionalism and establish guidelines for competencies in the field.

The formation of this committee highlighted URISA's commitment to developing a formal pathway for GIS professionals to demonstrate their skills and knowledge through certification. This step helped set the foundation for what would later evolve into recognized standards and certification processes within the industry, ultimately leading to increased trust in GIS professionals and the work they produce.

The other choices do not accurately reflect major actions taken by URISA in that year. Establishing the first GIS software, publishing a landmark report on GIS usage, or securing funding for GIS research were not aligned with URISA's initiatives aimed at creating a certification structure at that time. Therefore, the correct answer focuses specifically on the steps URISA took to address the need for GIS certification through structured exploration.