The Nevada Independent reported that an interim judiciary committee unanimously accepted a recommendation on Tuesday to ask for a bill on license plate readers. Legislators are considering bringing it in the next legislative session. For background on how these readers work, see how plate readers work.
What would the bill require?
The requested bill would require agencies that use automated license plate systems to:
- Adopt written policies.
- Train authorized users on lawful use and data-protection requirements.
- Undergo independent audits for compliance.
The bill could also require agencies to submit annual reports to the attorney general, the governor and the Legislature. The proposal is based on a model policy from the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association, released earlier this year.
Does Nevada regulate license plate readers now?
No. The Nevada Independent reports that Nevada has no laws regulating license plate reader use, even though at least five cities and counties in the state have used them.
Only 16 states have laws that explicitly address these cameras. Five of those prohibit anyone other than law enforcement from using them.
What did lawmakers say?
Sen. Melanie Scheible (D-Las Vegas), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, asked during the meeting: "absent any law that prohibits the use of Flock cameras," could police, private security companies and other agencies install them? Scheible said other legislative committees declined to take up the issue. The proposal is one of 15 measures the committee can request.
Assembly member Alexis Hansen (R-Sparks) said she would support bringing the measure forward, but expects "a whole lot of discussion" next session. Scheible repeated the point, saying, "There will be much discussion on this." The issue drew support from both Republicans and Democrats.
Where are the readers already in use?
The Nevada Independent has reported that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department deployed hundreds of Flock cameras with a donation from venture capitalist Ben Horowitz. Because the cameras were not bought with public funds, Metro did not have to hold public meetings on the technology.
On Monday, Clark County School District also confirmed to the paper that it has an agreement with Flock. The Nevada Independent says that raises questions about how the technology interacts with minors, their parents and school staff.
What changes for drivers?
The committee has only asked for a bill to be drafted, and legislators are considering bringing it next session. Scheible asked whether private security companies could install the cameras, but The Nevada Independent does not say whether the bill would cover them.
Check the camera map to see which readers are mapped near you. The Nevada Independent does not give a date for the next legislative session, so there is no vote or hearing date to watch yet.