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Senate committee approves narrower limits and 21‑day retention for automatic license‑plate recognition data
Summary
After lengthy debate, the committee reported House Bill 2,724 with amendments limiting law‑enforcement use, setting a 21‑day data retention window and requiring public reporting and policy safeguards; proponents said the changes create guardrails while critics urged further negotiation.
The Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee voted to report House Bill 2,724, which restricts law‑enforcement use of automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) systems to active investigations, limits data retention to 21 days, and requires public reporting and policy safeguards.
Sponsors and subcommittee members described the measure as establishing “guardrails” for technologies that already exist in some agencies. Supporters said the bill requires searchable policies to be posted publicly, retention limits, and transparent reporting about system use. Opponents urged more time for negotiation and warned the measure could be vetoed if a broader consensus is not reached.
Committee debate emphasized the trade‑offs between privacy protections and investigative utility. The patron told the committee she preferred to advance the current compromise and “see what happens” rather than prolong deliberations. Other members urged continued dialogue with stakeholders and commission work groups to refine enforcement and reporting requirements.
A roll call recorded 11 votes in favor, two opposed and one abstention (final committee tally reported in the record as eyes 11, noes 2, one abstention). The committee’s action sends the amended bill to the full Senate for further consideration; sponsors said additional discussions with leaders and stakeholders are expected during the interim and in the budget process if funding for an oversight analyst is needed.
