Legislation to regulate automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras across Washington state passed the Washington State Senate on a 40-9 vote on Wednesday. SB 6002, sponsored by Senator Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), sets rules around the use and retention of data collected by ALPR ‘Flock’ cameras, which scan the license plates of passing vehicles and collect images and data for use by law enforcement and other government agencies. Washington state currently has no law on the books regulating ALPR cameras. “My goal with this bill has always been about community safety and trust,” Trudeau said. “Washington state has a constitutional obligation to protect personal privacy and we have an obligation as elected leaders to respond to community concerns when surveillance technology is ...

Senator Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) introduced legislation this week to regulate automatic license plate reader cameras across Washington state. Automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras scan the license plates of passing vehicles and collect images and data for use by law enforcement, parking enforcement agencies, toll systems, and other government agencies. More than 80 cities, six counties, and three Tribal governments in Washington have contracted with Flock and other ALPR companies in 2025. “These license plate cameras are powerful surveillance tools, and I think most people would agree there should be clear rules governing how the data collected on all of us is stored and accessed,” Trudeau said. “We have a balancing act before us. We want law enforcement to have the tools ...