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Progressives and Republicans Introduce Competing Bills to Rein In Flock Cameras

Hawley proposed audits and limits on data retention rather than ending federal support for ALPR systems.

Progressives and Republicans Introduce Competing Bills to Rein In Flock Cameras
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This article1 analysis · Oct 8, 2026
Truthout
Oct 6, 2026
tl;dr

Lawmakers have introduced three competing bills to restrict automated license plate readers: the Ban Flock Act, Josh Hawley’s audit-and-data-retention proposal, and a separate bill from Thomas Massie and Eric Burlison. The proposals differ over whether to curb the technology through funding limits or regulate police use while allowing it to continue.

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Josh Hawley R · MO · SEN

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Votes cast on this page: ▲ 0 · ◆ 0 · ▼ 0

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Josh Hawley
R · MO · SEN

Senator and sponsor of the Stop Flock Abuse Act

PRIMARY SUBJECT

Representative and co-introducer of the Ban Flock Act

Ocasio-Cortez's version of this story ↗
Bernie Sanders
I · VT · SEN

Senator and co-introducer of the Ban Flock Act

Sanders's version of this story ↗
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President discussed in connection with the administration’s surveillance policies

Thomas Massie
R · KY-4

Representative and co-introducer of a bill restricting federal funding for ALPR systems

Eric Burlison
R · MO-7

Representative and co-introducer of Massie’s bill

Jeff Merkley
D · OR · SEN

Senator and co-introducer of the Ban Flock Act

Ro Khanna
D · CA-17

Representative and co-sponsor of Massie and Burlison’s bill

Part of a bigger story

5 OUTLETS
Josh Hawley Proposes Safeguards for Flock Cameras

Josh Hawley says he plans to introduce legislation imposing safeguards and limits on Flock’s automated license-plate camera systems, including rules for data use or retention. Left-leaning outlets place Hawley’s proposal among competing approaches and stress that it would regulate camera use rather than end federal support for the technology. Right-leaning outlets present it as a response to surveillance and accountability risks, also noting the company’s position that customer agencies control the data.

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