BIPARTISAN PUSH TO BAN POLICE LICENSE PLATE TRACKING

The provision targets Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems, which law enforcement agencies use to track vehicle movements across jurisdictions. Under the amendment, states and municipalities would lose federal highway funding if they maintain these programs. ALPR technology captures plate data from thousands of vehicles daily, creating searchable databases that critics argue enable mass surveillance without adequate privacy protections or warrant requirements. The amendment represents rare common ground between privacy advocates across the political spectrum. The proposal would exempt toll collection systems, allowing states to continue using plate readers for revenue purposes. Law enforcement agencies have historically defended ALPRs as investigative tools for locating stolen vehicles and fugitives, though civil liberties organizations contend the technology's scope far exceeds these legitimate uses. The amendment's inclusion in a highway bill suggests increased legislative momentum on surveillance accountability, though implementation details remain unclear.