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HF 3856

Government entities prohibited from using automated license plate readers, and use of automated license plate readers by other persons regulated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Tabke

Minnesota bill bans government use of automated license plate readers while regulating private sector deployment to protect location privacy from mass surveillance.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
#datapracticesandprivacy #governmentaloperations-local #governmentaloperations-state #motorvehicles
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Bill Summary · HF 3856

Legislative bill overview

HF 3856 would prohibit government entities in Minnesota from using automated license plate readers (ALPRs) while establishing regulatory requirements for private use of these devices. The bill creates restrictions on how and when these scanning technologies can be deployed to track vehicles and their movements.

Why is this important

Automated license plate readers create detailed records of where vehicles travel, raising significant privacy concerns as location data can reveal sensitive information about individuals' activities, associations, and movements. This bill addresses growing public concern about mass surveillance capabilities while balancing potential law enforcement and private sector needs for the technology.

Potential points of contention

  • Law enforcement opposition: Police agencies may argue ALPRs are valuable tools for locating stolen vehicles, finding missing persons, and investigating crimes, and that the blanket government prohibition eliminates useful investigative capabilities
  • Definition and scope of regulation: Disagreement likely over what constitutes "automated" readers, how strictly private use should be regulated, and what exemptions (if any) should exist for security or investigative purposes
  • Data retention and privacy standards: Debate over whether the bill adequately addresses data storage, sharing between entities, how long records can be kept, and what safeguards exist against misuse or unauthorized access

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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