The Douglas Budget reported that a Wyoming legislative panel briefly discussed a draft bill on automated license plate readers (ALPRs) on Sept. 29. The Select Committee on Blockchain, Financial Technology and Digital Innovation Technology took no action on it.
The Douglas Budget ties the discussion to rising concerns about what it calls the controversial Flock-style cameras in Wyoming.
What would the draft bill do?
The bill would severely limit the use of ALPR cameras and create an enforcement mechanism for cases of abuse. The Douglas Budget says it is drafted to match some of the strictest rules in the country, and that it draws on practices from around the country to create strong information protections.
Select Committee Co-Chair Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, said during the public meeting: "This bill is drafted to be consistent with the strongest legislation in the country."
What happens next?
The draft is preliminary and has notes for further research. The Douglas Budget reports that it will likely be updated and changed before the next session, a 60-day general session that begins Jan. 12.
What changes for drivers?
The committee took no action, and the bill is still a draft.
The Douglas Budget does not say how many plate readers Wyoming agencies use or where they are. To see camera locations near you, use the camera map. How plate readers work gives background on the systems.
What should residents ask lawmakers?
If you want to weigh in before the session, these questions are worth putting to your legislator:
- Which agencies in Wyoming use plate readers, and who owns the cameras?
- How long is plate data kept, and who can search it?
- What would the enforcement mechanism do to an officer or agency that misuses the data?
- Would the limits apply to private owners as well as government agencies?
For ways to get involved, see how to take action.
The next date is the start of the general session on Jan. 12.