Lawmakers threaten highway funding over police camera use
US lawmakers are introducing legislation that would strip federal funding from states failing to restrict automated license plate readers like Flock cameras, citing privacy concerns.
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers plans to introduce legislation that would withhold federal funding from states that do not restrict the use of automated license plate readers, such as Flock cameras. The move targets the growing deployment of these devices, which have faced national backlash due to concerns over potential misuse by law enforcement.
The proposed "No FLOCK Act" would direct the Secretary of Transportation to withhold 10 percent of annual federal highway funding from states that fail to ban Flock and similar cameras, except for five specific use cases. The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Michael Cloud (R-TX).
Under the proposed legislation, Flock cameras could only be used for purposes such as enforcing toll systems, identifying stolen vehicles, locating missing or endangered persons, identifying vehicles registered to individuals with felony warrants, or investigating vehicles involved in felony offenses. Uses like traffic studies, minor drug crime investigations, and enforcing parking or speeding rules would be prohibited.
The legislation aims to balance law enforcement needs with civil liberties, restricting data collection that is not directly tied to serious criminal activity or public safety.