A bipartisan pair of US lawmakers are set to introduce legislation today that would strip federal funding from states that fail to restrict the use of Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers. The No FLOCK Act, as it is called, would withhold 10 percent of annual financial support for highways, roads, and bridges if the state fails to ban Flock and similar devices.

The proposed legislation, aimed at limiting the use of Flock cameras to specific public safety purposes, such as enforcing toll systems, identifying stolen vehicles, and investigating felony offenses, has been met with mixed reactions. While some see it as a necessary step to prevent abuse, others argue that it falls short of the outright ban that supporters of the global protest movement against Flock have been demanding.

Despite the bill, Flock has been lobbying heavily, spending steadily over the past 18 months and recently hiring a fifth firm to assist with its efforts. The legislation would begin cutting off funding to non-compliant states starting in October 2028, potentially costing them tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. This move by Congress is part of a broader strategy to pressure states into taking action on public safety issues.

The issue of Flock cameras has become a significant topic in the upcoming US midterm elections, with concerns over emerging technologies, including rogue AI systems and law enforcement abuse, gaining prominence. However, the prospects of this legislation gaining approval and the support of President Trump remain uncertain.