Federal Highway Bill Includes Landmark Measure to End Police Plate Tracking

A bipartisan amendment has been secretly inserted into the recently passed federal highway bill, which would effectively end police license plate tracking nationwide if cities and states fail to kill their automated systems by 2025. The provision strips funds from agencies that refuse to dismantle or significantly modify their automated plate tracking programs, rendering them unusable for any purpose other than toll collection. This move marks a significant victory for advocates who have long argued against the use of license plate tracking in law enforcement, citing concerns over surveillance and erosion of civil liberties.