Bill banning ICE access to license plate reader data passes Washington Senate

SEATTLE — A bill aimed at regulating automatic license plate reader (ALPR) cameras has successfully passed the Washington State Senate with a 40-9 vote.

Sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma), SB 6002 seeks to establish clear guidelines for the use and retention of data collected by ALPR cameras, which are used by law enforcement and other government agencies to scan license plates and gather data.

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Currently, Washington state lacks specific legislation governing ALPR cameras.

“My goal with this bill has always been about community safety and trust,” Trudeau said. She emphasized the state’s constitutional obligation to protect personal privacy while responding to community concerns about surveillance technology.

The bill aims to balance these concerns by ensuring that law enforcement has the necessary tools to solve serious crimes while protecting individual privacy.

Key provisions of the bill include setting a 21-day retention period for ALPR data, prohibiting its use for immigration enforcement or tracking protected activities such as free speech protests, and banning the placement of ALPR cameras near schools, places of worship, courthouses, or food banks.

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The bill also mandates logs of all data access to monitor compliance and prohibits data sharing with other agencies except in judicial proceedings.

The 21-day retention period, extended from an initially shorter duration based on law enforcement feedback, would be the second-shortest in the nation and the shortest among states with ALPR cameras in operation. “This would be the best and strongest license plate reader law of any state in the nation,” Trudeau stated, highlighting the bill’s provisions for transparency and accountability.

Recent reports have raised concerns about the misuse and unauthorized sharing of ALPR data in Washington state.

Research from the University of Washington revealed that at least eight local law enforcement agencies have shared ALPR data with U.S. Border Patrol, and Border Patrol has accessed data from at least 10 additional agencies without formal agreements.

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Additionally, there have been instances of ALPR data being used for purposes such as firearms enforcement and tracking individuals for abortion-related investigations.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.