Full Breakdown
Congress Introduces the “Flock-Off Act” to Block Federal Funding for Automated License-Plate Readers
9/4/2026, 12:56:57 AM
The Bill’s Core Provisions
On September 3, 2026, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced H.R. 10221, the “Flock-Off Act.” The bill would bar any federal assistance for the purchase, installation, maintenance, operation, upgrade or replacement of automated license-plate readers (ALPRs) and biometric surveillance cameras, as well as related contracts, subscriptions, cloud services, databases or data-sharing arrangements. Existing federally funded equipment must be disabled or removed within 180 days, and violators must repay the Treasury before receiving further funds.
Background & Context
Flock Safety, an Atlanta firm, markets ALPRs that record license-plate numbers, vehicle make, model, color and direction, creating a searchable “vehicle signature.” The company claims deployment in 49 states, serving ?6,000 law-enforcement agencies and ?5,000 private customers, with ?120,000 cameras capturing ?20 billion plates each month. In July, the system aided in locating >1,000 missing people and >20,000 stolen cars.
Local opposition has grown. In northern Kentucky, municipalities such as Fort Thomas, Newport, Independence, Fort Mitchell and Erlanger announced plans to discontinue Flock cameras after town-hall concerns. Newport ended its pilot on July 14, 2026; Massie first signaled a federal-funding ban on July 25, 2026. Activists have vandalized cameras, and a Newsweek-compiled map lists 149 cities that have canceled, rejected or deactivated contracts.
Key Figures & Groups
- Thomas Massie – Representative from Kentucky, primary sponsor.
- Eric Burlison – Representative from Missouri, co-sponsor.
- Ro Khanna – Representative from California, Democratic co-sponsor.
- Lauren Boebert, Paul Gosar, Chip Roy, Victoria Spartz – Additional Republican co-sponsors.
- Flock Safety – Manufacturer of the targeted ALPR systems.
Timeline
- July 14, 2026 – Newport ends its Flock pilot.
- July 25, 2026 – Massie announces intention to withhold federal money from Flock-using jurisdictions.
- September 3, 2026 – Massie formally introduces the Flock-Off Act.
Data & Statistics
- 49 states host Flock cameras (company claim).
- ?6,000 law-enforcement agencies and ?5,000 private customers use the system.
- ?120,000 cameras capture ?20 billion plates monthly.
- July results: >1,000 missing people located, >20,000 stolen cars recovered.
- Reported local actions range from 56 to 149 municipalities disabling or canceling contracts.
Official Statements & Responses
Massie framed the bill as a taxpayer protection measure, arguing that federal “security” grants should not fund a “surveillance state.” Burlison warned against a “George Orwell dystopia” where every movement is tracked.
On-the-Ground Reports
Northern Kentucky’s shift away from Flock cameras reflects broader local backlash. Louisville police have reported camera vandalism, including paint-splashed poles and sawed-off mounts. The Newsweek map shows a patchwork of jurisdictions—from Tempe, AZ to Midwestern towns—that have terminated contracts or disabled equipment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of municipalities that have acted: “at least 56,” “149,” and “more than 100.” No source provides a definitive count of federal dollars currently allocated to ALPR projects, leaving the fiscal impact of the bill uncertain.
What’s Next
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform but has not yet been scheduled for a vote. GovTrack’s automated forecast assigns a 4 percent likelihood of enactment, reflecting its early stage and the breadth of its provisions. Future action will depend on committee deliberations and potential bipartisan negotiations.
