MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Lawmakers Plan Renewed Push for License-Plate Camera Regulations in 2027 SAINT PAUL, MN (August 23, 2026)

Two Minnesota lawmakers say they plan to renew their effort to regulate automated license-plate readers when the Legislature returns in 2027, extending a statewide debate over law enforcement technology, personal privacy and access to vehicle-location data.

Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten of Saint Paul and Rep. Brad Tabke of Shakopee introduced companion proposals during the 2026 legislative session. The measures, identified as Senate File 4739 and House File 4205, did not become law.

The lawmakers now say the proposal will return in 2027.

Automated license-plate readers photograph passing vehicles and record license-plate numbers, locations, dates and times. Many Minnesota agencies use systems supplied by Flock Safety to identify stolen vehicles, locate suspects and develop investigative leads.

Supporters say the cameras can help officers find vehicles connected to violent crimes, missing-person cases and other urgent investigations without continuously assigning personnel to fixed surveillance locations.

Critics argue that the systems can create extensive records of residents’ movements, especially when data is shared across agencies or retained for extended periods.

The earlier legislative proposal would have required collected data to be deleted after 48 hours unless it was connected to an active investigation. It also sought to restrict access by federal agencies and prevent the sale of license-plate-reader data.

Lawmakers have expressed particular concern about whether location data collected by local police could be accessed or used for federal immigration enforcement.

The renewed push follows public opposition in several Minnesota communities. Some agencies have paused or ended their relationships with Flock Safety, while other police departments continue to defend the cameras as important public-safety tools.

Saint Paul residents opposed to the technology gathered Saturday at Mattocks Park to share information about what automated license-plate readers collect and how the information may be used.

The debate has also been complicated by vandalism and theft. Cameras have been damaged or removed in some Minnesota communities, prompting law-enforcement warnings that destroying surveillance equipment is a criminal act regardless of objections to the technology.

Any bill introduced in 2027 would have to pass the Minnesota House and Senate and receive the governor’s signature before becoming law. The eventual language could differ from the 2026 proposal as lawmakers negotiate retention periods, access rules, investigative exceptions and enforcement mechanisms.

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