Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
Ban Flock Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Financial Services, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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 "Ban Flock Act". It stops the Federal Government from using automatic license plate readers or related data unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The bill also blocks certain federal grants from going to state and local governments that use these license plate readers. Additionally, it bans the use of federal funds to purchase or operate these readers. A specific exception is made for readers used strictly for toll collection, with strict limits on data use. Finally, the bill sets up penalties and allows individuals to sue the Federal Government for violations.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The legislation enacts sweeping prohibitions against mass vehicle tracking and unauthorized surveillance via automatic license plate readers.
- Scored +8
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill prohibits federal agencies and officials from acquiring, possessing, accessing, or using automatic license plate readers or captured plate data.
- Scored +7
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The bill provides individuals with a private right of action to sue the federal government for violations and establishes strict warrant requirements for data disclosures.
The opposite
- Scored -8
Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country?
The legislation explicitly restricts and bans the federal government's use of automatic license plate readers and captured plate data.
- Scored -5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill withholds federal grant funding from state and local governments unless they ban automatic license plate readers.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection of Privacy and Personal Data: Section 3(a) prohibits federal agencies and officials from acquiring, possessing, accessing, or using automatic license plate readers or captured plate data. This protects individuals from being tracked and having their daily movements monitored by the Federal Government without specific permission from Congress.
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Strict Limits on Toll Data: Section 3(c)(2) states that data collected by license plate readers used for tolls cannot be compared against law enforcement hot lists, used for criminal or civil investigations, or sold for commercial purposes. This ensures that people paying tolls do not have their driving habits exploited or shared with law enforcement without a warrant.
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Right to Sue for Violations: Section 3(d)(2) gives individuals who are aggrieved by a violation of the Act the right to sue the Federal Government in court. If they win, the court may award actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees, holding officials accountable for breaking the law.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Loss of Federal Grant Funding: Section 4 withholds federal financial assistance from the Department of Justice, Department of Transportation, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Department of Homeland Security from any state or local government unless they ban the use of automatic license plate readers. This could burden state and local governments by cutting off vital federal funds if they do not change their local policies.
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Quick Deletion of Toll Dispute Data: Section 3(c)(4)(B) limits the retention of captured plate data needed for pay-by-plate billing, unpaid tolls, or disputed charges to not more than 30 days after the matter is resolved. This short window might make it difficult for individuals to resolve lingering billing disputes or accounting errors with toll operators.
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 enacts sweeping prohibitions against mass vehicle tracking and unauthorized surveillance via automatic license plate readers. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The bill provides individuals with a private right of action to sue the federal government for violations and establishes strict warrant requirements for data disclosures. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes strict audit logs, compliance mechanisms, and reporting requirements for allowable toll data handling. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — States and local entities retain the option to use non-Federal funds for activities otherwise lawful under the Act if they choose not to comply with federal grant restrictions. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill withholds federal grant funding from state and local governments unless they ban automatic license plate readers.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill prohibits federal agencies and officials from acquiring, possessing, accessing, or using automatic license plate readers or captured plate data.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this give the government more power to monitor people inside the country? — The legislation explicitly restricts and bans the federal government's use of automatic license plate readers and captured plate data.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill protects privacy rights and prevents warrantless tracking, which benefits vulnerable populations including individuals with disabilities.
- 10/6/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/1/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, Natural Resources, Financial Services, and Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine