H.R. 10691

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The Ban Flock Act would prohibit the federal government from using automatic license plate readers (systems that capture and track vehicle license plates) without explicit congressional authorization. The bill would also prevent the federal government from purchasing these technologies or their data, and would withhold federal grants from state and local governments that use automatic license plate readers unless they pass laws banning the technology to the same degree as the federal prohibition. The law includes limited exceptions for toll collection systems, which would be permitted to use license plate readers solely for billing and payment purposes under strict rules requiring data deletion within 48 hours and prohibiting law enforcement use except with a warrant. The bill creates a private right of action allowing individuals and state attorneys general to sue for violations, with potential awards including actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. The restrictions would apply to most federal agencies and would take effect beginning the first fiscal year after the bill's enactment, with no specific funding amount specified in the legislation.

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