# Hawley Proposes Federal ALPR Safeguards

Senator Josh Hawley announced plans to introduce the Stop Flock Abuse Act, a proposed federal measure that would place safeguards on AI-powered automated license plate reader (ALPR) networks. If enacted, it would limit data sharing and retention, require search approvals and audit controls, mandate U.S.-based data storage, and prohibit facial recognition and foreign-adversary technology. The signals describe a legislative proposal—not an enacted requirement or an active procurement opportunity—but it could affect local-government camera programs and suppliers’ product and data-handling practices.

- Local agencies using or procuring ALPR systems can assess how current data-sharing, retention, search-approval, auditing, and storage practices compare with the proposal, without treating it as a current legal mandate.
- ALPR suppliers—including Flock Safety, Axon Enterprise, and Motorola Solutions—may need to account for the proposed restrictions in product design and government-customer discussions if the bill advances.
- Procurement teams can use the proposal as a planning consideration when defining surveillance-system requirements, particularly around data controls, facial recognition, and technology sourcing.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Public Safety, Information Technology
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance, Cybersecurity
**Published:** October 01, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Senate (Senate)
- Congress
- Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism
- Local governments

### Vendors
- Flock Safety (ALPR camera provider)
- Axon Enterprise (ALPR camera provider)
- Motorola Solutions (ALPR camera provider)

### Key Quotes
> AI-powered cameras produced by Flock and its competitors are tracking and creating digital footprints of everyday Americans — a nightmare for individual liberties unless Congress enacts meaningful rules and accountability.
> — Josh Hawley, U.S. Senator

### Sources
- [Hawley to Introduce Stop Flock Abuse Act, Establishing Safeguards for AI-Powered Cameras - Josh Hawley](https://www.hawley.senate.gov/hawley-to-introduce-stop-flock-abuse-act-establishing-safeguards-for-ai-powered-cameras/) - Hawley Senate
- [GOP lawmaker issues bill to rein in AI surveillance camera abuses](https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/gop-lawmaker-issues-bill-rein-210000498.html) - Yahoo