Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C. introduced legislation Thursday to restrict how law enforcement agencies use automated license plate readers, including Flock cameras, requiring warrants for most searches and mandating deletion of collected records within 24 hours.
The bill also prohibits government agencies from categorizing vehicles based on "expressive attributes" such as political or religious bumper stickers, flags, or decals—meaning searches could not be triggered by messages like "Back the Blue," "Jesus Saves," or "Black Lives Matter."
Harrigan's proposal specifically bans ALPR searches targeting these political or religious messages and restricts vendors from selling or sharing collected location data, addressing a key concern among privacy advocates.
"When you consider that these systems track everything that you do, where you work, where your kids go to school, where you even go to church, I think it's pretty easy to understand why people are concerned," Harrigan said. He described the data as "an extraordinary amount of information about somebody that the government has that has never committed a crime."
Harrigan emphasized that expressive attributes on a vehicle have no bearing on whether a crime has been committed and pointed to the increasing ability to search and analyze such data, especially with new artificial intelligence technologies.
Automated license plate readers have become a central point of debate across the United States. Law enforcement uses ALPRs in criminal investigations to identify vehicles matching suspect descriptions or search by specific locations.
Critics argue the systems raise constitutional concerns because they track drivers without explicit consent. Supporters maintain they are essential tools for crime prevention and public safety.
President Donald Trump has previously voiced support for Flock cameras, stating on Sept. 13 that he "sort of" likes them because of their utility for law enforcement.
Harrigan's bill now faces committee review and potential floor votes in Congress.
