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Bill

HB 961

Relating to the use of automatic license plate readers by a law enforcement agency.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Brian Harrison

HB 961 regulates Texas law enforcement's use of automatic license plate readers to establish data collection, retention, and access standards balancing public safety with privacy protections.

Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
#licenseplates(s9823) #lawenforcement(i0510)
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Bill Summary · HB 961

Legislative bill overview

HB 961 establishes regulations governing how Texas law enforcement agencies use automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology. The bill sets standards for data collection, retention, and access to ensure these surveillance tools are used appropriately while maintaining public safety capabilities.

Why is this important

ALPRs can scan thousands of license plates daily, creating detailed records of vehicle movements and locations. Without clear regulations, this technology poses privacy concerns for innocent citizens while potentially enabling dragnet surveillance. Establishing guardrails balances law enforcement needs with constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.

Potential points of contention

  • Data retention periods: Disagreement over how long ALPR data should be stored before deletion, with law enforcement wanting longer retention for investigations versus privacy advocates wanting immediate deletion
  • Access and sharing: Whether data can be shared between agencies, sold to third parties, or accessed without warrants, creating concerns about mission creep beyond public safety
  • Transparency and oversight: Questions about what public disclosure requirements exist, audit trails for access, and whether citizens can know if their location data was collected

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

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