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Bills would ban tinted or obscuring license-plate covers to preserve readability for officers and cameras
Summary
Representatives introduced bills to require license plate covers be non-tinted and not obscure characters, citing law-enforcement benefits from automated license-plate readers and rising vehicle theft and trafficking; supporters said the bills were vetted with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Representatives Colin Wallenkamp and Aaron Crossley presented bills to require that license-plate covers be non-tinted and not obscure the characters, saying the change would help law enforcement and automated image-capture systems read plates.
"Under current law, it is completely legal for license plates to be rendered nearly impossible to read or track by law enforcement in our state," Representative Colin Wallenkamp said. He told the committee Missouri ranks high in vehicle theft and that automated license-plate readers (ALPRs) help law enforcement locate stolen vehicles and detect patterns tied to drug trafficking, kidnapping and human trafficking.
Representative Aaron Crossley, a co-sponsor, said the bills would clarify existing statute by adding the single term "non-tinted" and also address flash-reflective products and frames that can defeat camera capture. Sponsors said they worked with the Missouri State Highway Patrol while drafting the language.
Several members and witnesses emphasized law-enforcement benefits. Representative Riggs said an officer will still stop a vehicle when a plate is willfully obscured, but that ALPRs extend police reach and efficiency. Representative Shields and others described cases in which ALPRs helped solve serious crimes.
Arnie C. ACDINOFF, state public advocate, testified he supports the concept but raised fourth-amendment and enforcement concerns. He also recounted being stopped after an officer said clear protection covers were unlawful where he had used them to guard against tab theft. He urged the committee to allow clear anti-theft protection for tabs and recommended an initial warning rather than immediate citation in some enforcement circumstances.
Sponsors and members discussed privacy and data-retention concerns tied to ALPR technology; several said they would seek input from law enforcement and privacy stakeholders as the bills move forward. The committee closed the hearing with supporters and a public advocate testifying in favor and no recorded opposition in the portion of the transcript provided.
