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Representative Rachelson urges limits on law-enforcement use of license-plate readers as statutory sunset approaches
Summary
Representative Barbara Rachelson presented House Bill 500, seeking to reinstate or replace statutory limits on law-enforcement use, retention and training for automated license-plate readers (ALPRs) before a scheduled sunset on July 1; she warned rapid commercialization of plate databases raises privacy concerns.
Representative Barbara Rachelson presented House Bill 500 to the House Transportation Committee on April 24, stating that current statutory restrictions on automated license-plate readers (ALPRs) are set to expire on July 1 and that lawmakers should consider retaining or updating limits on law-enforcement use.
Rachelson said the committee previously limited ALPR use with a sunset and training, and that recent technology changes make the issue timely: "the technology's changed again. So it's not very expensive equipment...you can get it for free if you agree to send x amount of license plate reader photos into this national database," she said, warning that numerous private companies have built large ALPR data repositories used for commercial and law-enforcement purposes.
She said the current law governs law-enforcement use, including retention time and permitted purposes, but that repeal of the sunset would leave fewer statewide controls. Rachelson noted gaps in knowledge about DMV data-sharing practices and called for clarity about who can access ALPR data and how long images are retained. She recommended coordinating with House Judiciary on law-enforcement uses and said her longstanding concern is protecting civil liberties while allowing legitimate uses such as Amber Alerts.
Committee members discussed whether a reinstated statute would regulate only law enforcement (not universities, private companies, or private cameras) and how current pilot programs and construction-site usage interact with existing law. Rachelson said the current law does not reach all commercial/private databases and that without statewide standards, law enforcement may obtain access to outside databases. She urged review of past reports and data and suggested the committee obtain additional information before deciding whether to act this session.
Ending: Rachelson offered to provide committee members with the prior statute text and supporting reports and suggested further intercommittee coordination with Judiciary for law-enforcement aspects.
