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Nationwide · votes, bills, and quotes
CrossvillePrivacy
Officials on the record against Flock and ALPRs, or hedging to keep the cameras with extra rules. Republicans, Democrats, and independents. Crossville’s Nov. 3 city election and county answers are on the Election 2026 scorecard. County Commission meetings and contacts are on the Cumberland page.
This is a list of documented votes, bills, and quotes, not every official in America, and not an endorsement. Filter by state, by ban versus restrict, by who actually pulled cameras, and by party. Officials who want to keep the cameras with extra rules are labeled as a hedge. They are not counted as a ban.
78 people and roll-call groups as of September 25, 2026.
Senate · September 23, 2026 · Crime and Counterterrorism subcommittee
Josh Hawley: “Flock’s probably heard of you”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) chairs that subcommittee. On August 26, 2026, he opened a formal investigation and demanded documents from Flock CEO Garrett Langley by September 8. He wrote that the network spans more than 120,000 cameras and that “Congress never authorized the network your industry has built.”
On September 23 he held the hearing “Always Watching: Flock’s Nationwide AI Surveillance Network.” In his opening statement he said, “If you haven’t heard of Flock, all I have to say is Flock’s probably heard of you.” He said Flock’s own figures are about 120,000 cameras and 20 billion images a month. He said one camera and a subscription he was told costs about $3,000 a year buys a search of that nationwide set, including images months old. He said Flock itself talks about assembling a “pattern of life.” He said Flock can tell you if a car has a Trump sticker, a Harris sticker, a pro-life America sticker, or an NRA sticker.
Hawley said Flock admitted in a letter to him, ahead of the hearing, that users could search for images that include people, including images that scan the inside of cars. He then introduced the Volusia County driver. This site does not name the civilian. He had invited the CEOs of Flock, Axon, Motorola, and Verkada. They are not on the published witness list. Hawley said the committee still needs to hear from them about what those networks do. On September 30 he announced he will introduce the Stop Flock Abuse Act. His office said it would require written search approval, audit logs, a ten-day deletion rule with an exception for active investigations, and bans on selling the data and on facial recognition. That is an announced bill, not a statute. Full writeups: the hearing and the bill.
Elected officials’ documented Flock and ALPR stances
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Donald Trump: “I like them”
The Washington Examiner and the Washington Post reported that President Donald Trump, asked Sunday, September 14, 2026, aboard Air Force One whether he would back Flock cameras, said he “sort of like[s] them… because of law enforcement.” He said some people think they are “an infringement,” then added, “I like them.” That is a quoted preference, not a federal order to install cameras. Full writeup: National cases.
Bernie Sanders: “STOP FLOCK”
On August 18, 2026, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont posted on X: “The AI surveillance company Flock has installed nearly 100,000 cameras across America to track your every movement. Going to the doctor? Flock knows. Dropping your kid off at school? Flock is tracking you. Flock is always watching. STOP AI MASS SURVEILLANCE. STOP FLOCK.” The Washington Times reported two days later that no bill in Congress would ban the cameras nationwide, and that Sanders had not filed a Senate ban bill. On October 2, 2026, Sanders, Sen. Jeff Merkley, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez released the Ban Flock Act. Their release says it would bar federal agencies from using automatic license-plate readers and block some federal grants to governments that use them. That is an introduced bill, not a statute. Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett already introduced H.R. 9800 to cut federal money. Four days after the August post, Flock CEO Garrett Langley told Fox News the country needs a privacy-safety “compromise.” Full writeup: Ban Flock Act.
Raphael Warnock and Katie Britt: DOJ ALPR letter
On September 22, 2026, Sens. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) wrote Attorney General Todd Blanche asking DOJ for national automated-license-plate-reader guardrails and answers by October 21, 2026. USA Today reported the letter. The PDF is on Warnock’s site. That is a letter, not a statute. Full writeup: National cases.
Katie Britt: DOJ ALPR letter with Warnock
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) co-signed the September 22, 2026 Warnock letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche asking for national ALPR guardrails. Same letter as Raphael Warnock. Full writeup: National cases.
Thomas Massie: Flock-Off Act
On September 2, 2026, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced H.R. 10221, the Flock-Off Act, with Rep. Eric Burlison. His press release lists original cosponsors Reps. Lauren Boebert, Paul Gosar, Ro Khanna, Chip Roy, and Victoria Spartz. The bill would cut federal money for automated license plate readers and biometric cameras and require federally funded systems down in 180 days, with toll and border exceptions. Newsweek quoted Massie saying it would not ban cameras a city pays for locally. On July 27 he had said a bill was coming. This is an introduced House bill, not a statute. Full writeup: National cases. Cosponsors: list.
Flock-Off Act original cosponsors
Massie’s September 2, 2026 press release lists original cosponsors beyond Rep. Eric Burlison: Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Chip Roy (R-TX), and Victoria Spartz (R-IN). H.R. 10221 would cut federal money for ALPRs and biometric cameras. Massie said it would not ban cameras a city pays for locally. It is an introduced bill, not law. Search the table above for each name. Full writeup: National cases.
Lina Hidalgo: Harris County Flock pause request
Click2Houston reported that Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo (D) called for a special commissioners-court meeting on the county’s Flock contract and asked to pause the program until privacy and oversight clauses are added. Commissioners renewed the deal May 28, 2026, through June 2027, at about $869,000. Hidalgo abstained. Cameras stay unless court later votes to pause or cancel. Full writeup: National cases. See also Magnolia’s non-renewal in the same story (CAN-2026-184) and Greg Abbott’s funding pause.
Andrew Ginther: Columbus Flock pause
WOSU reported that Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther (D) paused police use of Flock on September 3, 2026. The city began covering 65 cameras September 4. The contract still runs to December. Council has not voted to terminate. Full writeup: National cases.
Lois Kolkhorst: Texas ALPR ban call
KBTX reported that State Sen. Lois W. Kolkhorst (R) is calling for a ban on automated license plate readers and said the Texas Senate will take up the issue when the 90th Legislature convenes in January. Her post was titled “Get the Flock Out of Texas!” Full writeup: National cases. See also Greg Abbott’s funding pause.
Josh Shapiro: Pennsylvania Flock ban
Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said August 28, 2026, that he would welcome bipartisan legislation banning Flock cameras across Pennsylvania, calling them “not something in the public interest,” per NBC10 Philadelphia and Axios Philadelphia. He said Pennsylvania State Police do not use Flock. No statewide ban has passed. Full writeup: National cases.
Greg Abbott: Texas Flock funding pause
On August 28, 2026, The Texas Tribune reported that Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered all state agencies to pause funding for Flock cameras. His spokesman said Texas agency money cannot be used for Flock, and that most city Flock funding still comes from the federal government. Local contracts and existing cameras stay unless cities or counties end them. That is a state-funding freeze, not a statewide camera ban or a warrant rule. On September 17, 2026, the Tribune reported that Abbott directed TxDOT to stop issuing new ALPR permits on state roads. Cameras already up stay, including more than 900 DPS units. A companion Tribune investigation said a $1 auto-insurance fee has gone toward at least $30 million and about 3,200 Flock cameras. Full writeup: National cases.
Ron DeSantis: Florida ALPR overhaul
At an August 26, 2026 event at Florida International University in Miami, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) told reporters that automated license plate readers—including Flock and other vendors—have grown “out of control” and risk turning Florida into a “surveillance state.” Florida Politics and News4JAX reported DeSantis urging a legislative overhaul—not executive action alone—and pointing to New Hampshire’s roadside-reader limits as a model. He drew a line between criminal investigations and tracking ordinary residents: “Go after criminals, great. … But surveilling just regular Floridians’ movements and how that data’s used — that’s a bird of a different feather.”
“You want to get in your car and you want to go down to Buc-ee's in St. Augustine. It's really none of the government's damn business if you're doing that.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis, August 2026, on tracking ordinary Floridians’ movements (Fox 49 News; FOX 35 Orlando)
DeSantis kept pressing the issue after the FIU event. On August 31, 2026, Florida DOT revoked all ALPR permits on state highway rights-of-way and ordered removal within 30 days. Full writeups: Aug. 26 remarks, FDOT removal order.
Al Cutrona: Ohio felony-misuse bill
In August 2026, Ohio Sen. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) told the Columbus Dispatch he will introduce a bill barring sale or sharing of plate-reader data with third parties, requiring deletion after 10 days, and making personal misuse a fourth-degree felony. Full writeup: National cases. See also Levi Dean’s competing draft.
Levi Dean: Ohio warrant / AI-ban draft
Ohio Rep. Levi Dean (R-Xenia) told The Statehouse News Bureau he is drafting a separate measure requiring warrants for government ALPR searches and banning AI-assisted government surveillance cameras, while still allowing private cameras with limits on government use of their data. Full writeup: National cases. See also Cutrona’s felony-misuse bill.
Arthur Orr: Alabama statewide ALPR guardrails
Alabama Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) told AL.com in August 2026 that the status quo on Alabama’s ~2,800 Flock cameras is “totally unacceptable” and that lawmakers must “tighten the screws” on plate readers. Orr, who passed a 2021 Senate ALPR bill that stalled in the House, said he plans to file new legislation after the Nov. 3 general election—with ban, restrict, or middle-path options on the table. Full writeup: National cases. See also Robert Stewart.
Robert Stewart: Alabama wants change
Alabama Sen. Robert Stewart (D-Selma) told WSFA in August 2026 that he wants to see change on Flock / ALPR rules before the 2027 legislative session. Full writeup: National cases. Primary bill sponsor: Arthur Orr.
Greg Steube: FLAFO Act
The Guardian reported September 25, 2026, that Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced the Facilitating Liberty and Accountability for Flock Observations Act. The paper said the bill would require a judicial warrant before a federal agency could buy, operate, access, or share data with a networked license-plate reader, and would tie Justice Department grants for state, local, and tribal agencies to similar rules. The bill text is an introduced House bill, not a statute. Full writeup: National cases.
Raja Krishnamoorthi and Michael Cloud: NO FLOCK Act
On September 14, 2026, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) introduced H.R. 10366, the NO FLOCK Act, with Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas). The bill would hold back 10 percent of a state’s federal highway money unless that state limits automated license plate readers to tolls, stolen vehicles, missing or endangered people, felony warrants, or a vehicle tied to a felony. This is an introduced House bill, not a statute. Krishnamoorthi also signed an earlier letter with Sen. Ron Wyden asking the FTC to look at Flock’s security. That letter is on the Flock dossier.
Keith Self, Eli Crane, and Andrew Clyde: PRIVACY Act
On July 15, 2026, Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) introduced H.R. 9716, the PRIVACY Act, with Reps. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) and Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.). It would require a warrant before federal agencies search surveillance data collected by state and local systems, including automated license plate readers. This is an introduced House bill, not a statute. Full writeup: National cases.
Pamela Hunter, Emily Gallagher, and Michelle Hinchey: New York ALPR limits
On April 1, 2026, Assemblymember Pamela Hunter introduced A10808, with Assemblymember Emily Gallagher as a cosponsor. Sen. Michelle Hinchey sponsors the Senate companion, S9890. The bills would limit government plate readers to listed public-safety uses, delete most captured plate data within 48 hours, and require a warrant before an agency shares that data out of state or buys it from a private broker. They are in committee, not law.
Kris Mayes: Arizona plate-reader review
On August 27, 2026, Attorney General Kris Mayes said her office will review Flock cameras and similar systems across Arizona. She said Arizonans are right to worry about documented misuse and about privacy, and that the state needs one set of rules. The office plans a report for the governor and the legislature.
Nevada: draft plate-reader rules for 2027
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the legislature’s Joint Interim Standing Committee on the Judiciary voted unanimously to have staff draft a 2027 bill. If it became law, agencies using these cameras would need written policies, training, annual reports, and audits. State Sen. Melanie Scheible (D-Clark County), the committee chair, said the draft is a way to debate how the cameras should be regulated. Assemblymember Alexis Hansen (R) said guardrails are important.
The same story reported that Attorney General Aaron Ford, through his campaign, said he does not support Flock cameras until Nevada has strict rules against abuse, and that he would work with lawmakers on those guardrails. Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office said he supports responsible use of the cameras to fight crime and that they must come with strong privacy safeguards.
Rue Landau: Philadelphia asks Pennsylvania to act
NBC10 reported that on September 24, 2026, Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed a resolution by Councilmember Rue Landau asking Pennsylvania to ban Flock cameras or set strong guardrails on plate readers. The resolution asks the legislature to act. Gov. Josh Shapiro has said he would welcome a statewide ban: his note.
Shane Burgo: New Bedford temporary shutdown
The New Bedford Light reported that on September 25, 2026, the City Council gave first approval, 8–3, to a temporary ordinance sponsored by Councilor Shane Burgo. It would keep Flock off while the city writes lasting rules. Burgo said he does not want a permanent ban. The ordinance still has to come back to the council and then go to the mayor. The cameras have been off since early August.
Jimmy Peluso: Jacksonville rules proposal
Jacksonville Today reported August 26, 2026, that Councilmember Jimmy Peluso (D) plans to file rules for Flock-style cameras. He described a 120-day pause on new cameras, a public inventory, neighborhood-committee approval before a new camera goes up, and a resident petition to take one down. The August 26 story described a plan to file those rules.
Robert J. Lovero: Berwyn stops using Flock
Wednesday Journal reported that Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero signed an executive order September 22, 2026, telling police to stop using Flock and barring city employees from the stored data through June 2028. That date is the end of a five-year contract that began in June 2023. The city said the order was not an accusation of misconduct by Berwyn police. The order does not cancel the contract. It does not require the cameras to be covered or removed. Full writeup: National cases.
Micah Caldwell: Berwyn ordinance request
The same Wednesday Journal story reported that Ald. Micah Caldwell said he was glad the mayor stopped police use of Flock and asked the council for an ordinance. The mayor’s order does not cancel the contract or take the cameras down. See Robert J. Lovero.
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