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Bill

Bill

S 3035

Imposes certain requirements on use of automated license plate readers by law enforcement agencies.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Benjie Wimberly

New Jersey bill requiring law enforcement agencies to establish data-handling standards and oversight procedures for automated license plate reader surveillance technology.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee
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Bill Summary · S 3035

Legislative bill overview

S 3035 establishes regulatory requirements governing how New Jersey law enforcement agencies deploy and use automated license plate readers (ALPRs)—technology that automatically captures and records vehicle license plate information. The bill aims to create standards for data collection, retention, and access while addressing privacy concerns associated with mass surveillance capabilities of these devices.

Why is this important

ALPRs can scan hundreds of plates per minute and create permanent databases of vehicle movements, raising civil liberties questions about warrantless tracking and data security. Law enforcement agencies currently operate with minimal oversight on ALPR use, meaning residents' location data could be collected and retained indefinitely without transparent policies or public consent.

Potential points of contention

  • Data retention and access: Debate over how long ALPR data should be stored, who can access it, and under what circumstances—balancing law enforcement effectiveness against privacy protection
  • Warrant requirements: Disagreement on whether officers need judicial warrants to search ALPR databases, particularly for cold cases or investigative fishing expeditions
  • Scope and transparency: Whether the bill adequately requires public disclosure of ALPR programs, funding, and deployment locations versus law enforcement's operational security concerns
  • Technical and compliance burdens: Potential costs and administrative complexity for agencies to implement new requirements while maintaining investigative capabilities

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

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