Topic analysis

Bipartisan Amendment Blocking Nationwide Police LPR Use Killed In House Committee

On May 21, 2026, bipartisan U.S. House Amendment 221, which would have effectively banned police use of license plate readers (LPRs) nationwide by barring jurisdictions using LPRs for non-tolling purposes from receiving Title 23 federal highway funding, was defeated in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a 20-44 vote without substantive debate. The amendment would have posed an existential threat to Flock Safety, the largest U.S. police LPR provider, whose lobbying ties to Democratic co-sponsor Rep. Jesús García are under scrutiny, as opposition to police LPR programs grows amid widespread documented misuse, privacy concerns, and grassroots pushback.