Two US Congress members introduced a bill threatening to cut 10% of federal highway funds from states that do not restrict Flock cameras and similar automated license plate readers to narrowly defined law enforcement purposes.
- Bill ties 10% of federal highway funds to restricting automated license plate readers.
- Allows Flock cameras only for five specific public safety uses.
- States face funding cuts starting 2028 if noncompliant.
What happened
Bipartisan US lawmakers Raja Krishnamoorthi and Michael Cloud introduced legislation called the No FLOCK Act, which aims to curtail the use of Flock cameras and similar automated license plate readers by restricting their applications. The bill proposes withholding 10 percent of annual federal surface transportation funds from any state that does not comply with these restrictions.
The act limits Flock camera usage strictly to five public safety uses: enforcing tolls, identifying stolen vehicles, finding missing or endangered persons, tracking vehicles linked to felony warrants, and investigating vehicles involved in felonies. The bill explicitly excludes uses like traffic studies and minor infraction enforcement, addressing concerns about misuse and overreach.
Why it matters
Automated license plate readers like Flock cameras have faced growing scrutiny due to incidents where law enforcement officers misused gathered data for personal reasons, prompting a national debate about surveillance and civil liberties. At least 100 alleged privacy abuses over eight years have intensified calls for legal limits.
Tying state compliance to federal transportation funding is a strategic enforcement tool Congress has used before to address public safety regulations. This approach highlights lawmakers’ intent to balance preserving legitimate law enforcement use while preventing broad surveillance and protecting Fourth Amendment rights.
What to watch next
With midterm elections approaching, the fate of the No FLOCK Act remains uncertain amid political divisions and ongoing lobbying efforts by Flock and its allies. The bill’s success will depend on Congress’s willingness to pass it and whether President Trump, who has expressed support for Flock cameras, will sign it into law.
States will face scrutiny as the October 2028 compliance deadline approaches, with potential losses of tens or hundreds of millions of dollars in federal transport funds incentivizing them to impose restrictions. Continued debate over data sharing with other government agencies and the scope of surveillance permitted will also shape the evolving landscape.