Full Breakdown
Florida Lawmaker Introduces Warrant Requirement for Federal Use of License-Plate Readers
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Legislative Proposal
Representative Greg Steube (R-FL) unveiled the Facilitating Liberty and Accountability for Flock Observations (FLAFO) Act on September 25, 2026. The bill would bar U.S. federal agencies from purchasing, leasing, operating, accessing, or sharing data from networked automated license-plate readers (ALPRs) without a judicial warrant. It also ties Department of Justice grant eligibility for state, local, and tribal law-enforcement agencies to the adoption of comparable privacy safeguards.
Background & Context
The proposal arrives amid bipartisan efforts to curb the rapid expansion of ALPR technology. Earlier in September, Thomas Massie (R-KY) introduced the Flock-Off Act, prohibiting federal funds for ALPRs and biometric cameras. The No Flock Act, co-sponsored by Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL) and Republican Michael Cloud (TX), offers states a two-year window to limit ALPR use or lose 10 % of certain federal transportation funds.
Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based firm, dominates the market with roughly 120,000 readers—about 80 % of U.S. installations—covering every state except Alaska. Investigations in Florida, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin have documented misuse of the databases, including stalking of former partners.
State actions echo the federal push. In early September, the Florida Department of Transportation revoked all permits for local police to operate ALPRs on state roads, ordering removal within 30 days. Texas Governor Greg Abbott halted state funding after a Texas Tribune report revealed at least $30 million spent building a state network.
Data & Statistics
- 120,000 Flock readers nationwide; >80 % market share.
- Secure Justice’s Flock Termination Tracker recorded cancellations in 36 states.
- Santa Cruz, CA was the first California city to drop Flock in January; dozens of other municipalities followed.
- South Florida cities have invested tens of thousands to over $1 million in state-approved ALPR systems; Pembroke Pines shut off more than 100 cameras to comply with the Florida DOT order.
Official Statements & Responses
The Florida Department of Transportation issued a directive mandating removal of all ALPRs from state roads, clarifying that the order does not affect red-light, school-zone, or school-bus cameras regulated under separate statutes. Governor Abbott’s funding pause was presented as a pre-emptive measure pending further investigation.
Criticism & Opposition
Civil-rights advocates warn that the sheer scale of Flock’s network creates a “data haystack” vulnerable to abuse. Chad Marlow, senior policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, testified that modern ALPRs exceed the capabilities of earlier systems and pose heightened privacy risks. Ted Hollander, attorney with The Ticket Clinic, noted that while ALPRs cannot issue traffic citations, the data can still generate “reasonable suspicion” for vehicle stops. The Institute for Justice has documented more than 200 instances of alleged misuse, ranging from stalking to wrongful stops. Bret Lusskin, founder of Stop the Cams, described the debate as a divide between “ordinary citizens” who despise the cameras and “government operatives” who champion them.
On-the-Ground Reports
Cities across the nation are responding to public pressure. In Florida, the transportation department’s removal order has already led to the shutdown of ALPRs on state highways. South Florida municipalities such as Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Margate, Pembroke Pines, and Plantation are adjusting their camera deployments to comply, while Sunrise and Coral Springs remain unaffected because their systems are not on state roads.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Flock Safety has not provided comment on the legislation or the cancellation data, leaving a gap in the company’s perspective. Additionally, while state orders specify removal from state-owned roadways, the extent to which privately owned roadways or non-state-funded cameras will be affected remains unclear.