On Friday, Senators Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez introduced the Ban Flock Act, a bill that would prohibit federal agencies from using automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) and suspend grant funding for state and local governments that have ALPR contracts. The legislation was unveiled by the lawmakers in a statement reported by The Hill.

ALPRs have become common tools for law‑enforcement agencies, capturing vehicle information at high speed from traffic cameras and highway gantries. Critics argue that the technology can infringe on privacy rights, lead to data misuse, and disproportionately affect minority communities. The ban seeks to address those concerns by cutting off federal support for the deployment and operation of such systems.

The Ban Flock Act specifically bars federal agencies from collecting or using license‑plate data through automated systems. In addition, it would temporarily halt federal grant money to any state or local entity that maintains or expands ALPR contracts, effectively creating a financial disincentive for continued use of the technology. The bill does not target private‑sector or commercial use of ALPRs, focusing instead on government‑controlled applications.

If the bill advances, it would require federal agencies to reallocate resources currently directed toward ALPR initiatives and could prompt states to seek alternative traffic‑monitoring solutions. Law‑enforcement groups have expressed concerns about losing a tool that they say aids in crime prevention and traffic enforcement. The next step will be committee hearings and a vote in the Senate, followed by consideration in the House, where the bill would need to gather further support before becoming law.