Marlin Stutzman (R-IN)
Don’t Spy On Me Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Don't Spy On Me Act of 2026. It stops the heads of Government agencies from setting up, keeping, or sharing vehicle fingerprinting databases. If an agency breaks this rule, people or groups whose info was used can take them to court. The bill lets folks sue for actual damages, court costs, and a set amount if they were targeted. A vehicle fingerprinting database links a name or license plate to other info from automated license plate readers.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The legislation establishes strong protections against government surveillance by prohibiting vehicle fingerprinting databases and allowing civil lawsuits for violations.
- Scored +8
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The legislation protects citizen privacy by banning government agencies from linking personal identifiers and license plates to vehicle characteristics and geolocation data.
- Scored +7
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill provides individuals with explicit legal remedies, including actual damages and statutory compensation, when their privacy rights are violated by government agencies.
The opposite
- Scored -8
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The bill explicitly prohibits government agencies from establishing or maintaining vehicle fingerprinting databases, significantly curbing domestic surveillance capabilities.
- Scored -5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill restricts federal agency operations by banning the creation and maintenance of specific types of tracking databases.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(a) bans the heads of Government agencies from establishing or maintaining vehicle fingerprinting databases, which protects everyday citizens from having their vehicle characteristics and travel tracking stored by the government.
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Section 2(b) gives individuals and entities the power to hold officials accountable by bringing a civil action in a United States district court if a Government agency violates the ban.
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Section 2(b)(1) and Section 2(b)(2) allow people whose information is wrongfully used to seek actual damages or twenty-five thousand dollars if the agency targeted them.
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Section 2(b)(3) and Section 2(b)(4) provide affected individuals with the ability to seek injunctive relief and reasonable attorney's fees and costs when fighting back against government overreach.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The legislation establishes strong protections against government surveillance by prohibiting vehicle fingerprinting databases and allowing civil lawsuits for violations. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill provides individuals with explicit legal remedies, including actual damages and statutory compensation, when their privacy rights are violated by government agencies. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill empowers individuals to hold government agencies accountable through civil action for unauthorized tracking and data collection. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill restricts federal agency operations by banning the creation and maintenance of specific types of tracking databases.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The legislation protects citizen privacy by banning government agencies from linking personal identifiers and license plates to vehicle characteristics and geolocation data.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The bill explicitly prohibits government agencies from establishing or maintaining vehicle fingerprinting databases, significantly curbing domestic surveillance capabilities.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Andy HarrisRepublican · Maryland
Pat HarriganRepublican · North Carolina