Don’t Spy On Me Act of 2026
Bars Government agency heads from keeping vehicle-fingerprinting databases and lets people or entities whose information is involved sue.
In the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee since Sept. 24, 2026, 11 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 24, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Automated license plate readers can connect vehicles or plates to details about vehicles and where they travel. The bill would bar Government agency heads from creating or keeping databases that link that data to identifiable information, and would let affected individuals or entities sue over violations.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Bar vehicle-fingerprinting databases
The head of a Government agency could not establish or maintain a database linking a person’s or entity’s name, or a vehicle’s license plate, to identifiable information from an automated license plate reader. That information can include vehicle features or location data, such as places visited and how often.
- Allow lawsuits over violations
An individual or entity whose information is involved in a violation could sue the agency in federal district court. The court could award damages for injury, $25,000 if it finds the agency targeted the plaintiff, an injunction, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
The bill’s definition covers databases that connect names or license plates to information gathered by automated license plate readers, including vehicle details and location histories. The practical stakes are whether agencies can keep those linked records and what recourse people or entities would have if an agency violates the proposed restriction.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 24, 2026HOUSESEP 24, 2026By Rep. Stutzman with 2 original cosponsorsReferred to Oversight and Government Reform
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeSEP 24, 2026OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM NOWSEP 24, 2026In committee for 11 daysNo hearing yet
- 11 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- SEP 242026SEP 24, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 11, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 2 states
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Republican. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Stutzman’s record: sponsored 16 bills this Congress. 1 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Pat HarriganR-NC-10ORIGINAL
- Andy HarrisR-MD-1ORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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