Bill · H.R. 10606· House(119-HR-10606)
FLAFO Act
- Introduced
- 9/24/2026
- Last activity
- 9/24/2026 — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- W. Steube
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Facilitating Liberty and Accountability for Flock Observations Act or the FLAFO Act. It stops Federal agencies from buying, leasing, operating, accessing, or sharing information with automated license plate reader surveillance systems unless they get a warrant. The bill allows exceptions for specific emergencies like missing persons, imminent threats, and terrorism investigations. It also creates criminal penalties, civil penalties, and a private right of action for people whose rights are violated by Federal employees. Finally, the bill cuts off certain Department of Justice funds for States, local governments, and Indian Tribes unless they put similar rules in place.
Yes· 3 of 11
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+9
The legislation establishes a general warrant requirement for federal agencies seeking to access automated license plate reader surveillance networks.
Does this give people more control over their personal data?+8
The bill strongly protects personal location data by restricting government access to automated license plate reader systems without a warrant.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+6
The bill prohibits unwarranted tracking of personal movements and eliminates qualified immunity for government officials who violate these privacy protections.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-5
The bill conditions Department of Justice funding on state and local governments adopting similar surveillance restrictions.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-4
The bill mandates that state, local, and tribal jurisdictions adopt rules substantially similar to federal restrictions to retain Department of Justice funds.
Would immigrants be better off under this?-2
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is explicitly excluded from the warrant requirements during immigration enforcement and border security operations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Protection of Privacy and Constitutional Rights: Section 3(a) and Section 3(b) generally prohibit Federal agencies from using or accessing automated license plate reader surveillance systems without a warrant, which helps protect everyday people from having their daily movements tracked without individualized suspicion.
-
Accountability for Government Officials: Section 3(c) holds government officials accountable by imposing criminal penalties, civil penalties, and allowing everyday people to sue in court if an official knowingly violates these rules, without allowing the defense of sovereign or qualified immunity.
-
Penalties for System Operators: Section 4 makes it a crime and subjects operators of these surveillance systems to civil penalties and lawsuits if they knowingly give Federal agencies unlawful access to the system or to people's information.
-
Encouraging Local Protections: Section 5 requires States, local governments, and Indian Tribes to set up rules similar to this Act in order to keep receiving certain Federal funds from the Department of Justice, which pushes local authorities to respect these privacy limits as well.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusions for Certain Law Enforcement and Security Agencies: Section 3(d) excludes agencies like the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Energy from these rules during certain operations, meaning people's location data could still be tracked by these specific groups without the standard warrant requirements.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Improves Data Privacy+8Increases Big Tech Regulation+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Privacy Rights+9Improves Due Process+6Improves Government Transparency+5Increases Federal Power-5Increase States Rights-4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Border Security+3Improves Disability Rights+2Improves Freedom Of Speech+2Improves Religious Freedom+2
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Increases Counter Terrorism Funding+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+2Good For Immigrants-2
- 10/1/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/24/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida