A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers announced plans to introduce legislation that would penalize states that do not restrict the use of Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers. The proposed No FLOCK Act, which stands for Federal License-Plate Observation and Camera Keeping, aims to withhold 10 percent of federal funding for highways, roads, and bridges from states that fail to ban Flock and similar devices for all but five specific use cases. These use cases include enforcing toll systems, identifying stolen vehicles, locating missing or endangered persons, and investigating vehicles involved in felony offenses. Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois, and Michael Cloud, a Republican from Texas, are sponsoring the bill.
The legislation does not impose a complete ban on Flock systems, which some advocates have called for. It also does not prevent users of Flock cameras from sharing license plate tracking data with other government agencies, including immigration authorities. Flock has not yet commented on the proposed legislation.
If passed, the legislation could result in states losing tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal transportation funding starting in October 2028 if they do not comply. The Department of Transportation allocates surface transportation funds based on various factors, including roadway quantity and usage. Congress has previously used funding threats to encourage states to implement public safety measures.
In addition to this bill, another bipartisan proposal has been introduced to prohibit the use of federal funds for purchasing Flock cameras. Flock's lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., have been consistent over the past 18 months, with the company recently hiring additional lobbying firms.
Emerging technology issues, including the use of Flock cameras by law enforcement, are significant topics in the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. However, it remains uncertain whether any related legislation will progress through Congress. President Donald Trump expressed support for Flock cameras, stating they assist law enforcement, while lawmakers have raised concerns about misuse by police officers, including instances of stalking.
Approximately 25 states and U.S. territories have laws regarding automated license plate readers, focusing on transparency and data deletion, but few limit the types of permissible uses. Cloud emphasized that the bill represents a step toward controlling surveillance while maintaining public safety.