Committee approves comprehensive rules for automated license-plate readers with privacy safeguards

The committee gave unanimous favorable recommendation to the second substitute of House Bill 468, Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) System amendments, after sponsor testimony and extensive law-enforcement and technical support.

Representative Chevrier, sponsor, told the committee the bill balances public-safety benefits of ALPR systems with privacy and civil-liberty safeguards. Committee discussion and witness testimony focused on data security, retention and operational guardrails. The bill requires vendors to update hot lists at least every 24 hours, encrypt ALPR data at rest and in transit, and implement reporting on the number and concentration of cameras in geographic areas so the Legislature can track deployment density.

Law-enforcement witnesses, including Colonel Mike Rapich (Utah Highway Patrol) and Nate Mudder (Law Enforcement Legislative Committee), testified in support, saying the bill’s guardrails address concerns identified in other states and the statute’s reporting obligations increase transparency. Steve McCown, a cybersecurity commissioner, praised the legislation’s data-security and auditing provisions and said retaining legislative oversight of ALPR expansion is important.

UDOT provided a fiscal update to the committee regarding a planned FY2026 pilot; the sponsor and UDOT indicated a previously cited FY2026 fiscal number should be zero for the pilot as procurement details changed. The committee voted unanimously to forward the second substitute with a favorable recommendation.

Votes at a glance: Second substitute House Bill 468 — favorable recommendation (unanimous).

The bill advances to the Senate floor; sponsors said they will monitor deployment and adjust reporting as needed.