CALIFORNIA — Senate Bill 1013 has passed the California State Senate and is currently under consideration in the California State Assembly. The legislation, authored by California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, would impose stricter privacy controls on automated license plate readers used by public agencies.

The bill mandates that public agencies delete automated license plate reader data after 30 days unless it is tied to an active criminal investigation. It also requires public agencies using these systems to undergo annual audits by the California Department of Justice to ensure compliance with usage and privacy policies.

Additional provisions in Senate Bill 1013 require public agencies using automated license plate readers to provide officer training. The measure also mandates that agencies maintain logs of database searches conducted using the technology. "This bill is about one simple principle: protecting the privacy and safety of Californians while ensuring law enforcement tools are used responsibly," Sen. Sabrina Cervantes said.

The legislative push comes as California has more than 16,000 Flock Safety automated license plate readers, representing the highest concentration of such devices in the nation. Flock Safety has more than 120,000 automated license plate readers installed across the U.S. according to the company's online map.

Flock Safety operates in over 5,000 communities across 49 US states as of 2025. According to industry estimates, Flock Safety performs over 20 billion scans of vehicles in the US every month.

State Senator Kelly Seyarto opposes Senate Bill 1013. Seyarto, a Republican whose district includes part of San Diego County, stated that the limit on data retention could pose public safety risks by restricting investigators' ability to solve crimes. "To me, that is not a very long timeline in the big scheme of things," State Sen. Kelly Seyarto said of the proposed 30-day data retention limit.

The San Diego Police Department has about 500 Flock Safety cameras throughout the city. The department currently has a 30-day limit on license plate reader data retention.

Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year that would have required license plate reader data to be deleted after 60 days. Governor Gavin Newsom argued that the 60-day data deletion restriction in the previous bill could be detrimental to law enforcement investigations.

Seth Hall of the Trust SD Coalition expressed concerns about the widespread use of the technology. "People are bothered by mass surveillance," Seth Hall of the Trust SD Coalition said.

Flock Safety cameras do not use facial recognition technology. The company maintains a national license plate reader data lookup tool, which distinguishes its service from some competitors.

Cities including Syracuse, New York; Denver, Colorado; Grand Chute, Wisconsin; Ferndale, Michigan; Longmont, Colorado; and Knoxville, Tennessee have replaced Flock Safety cameras with Axon systems. Axon sells ALPR cameras installed inside police officers’ patrol vehicles but does not have a national license plate reader data lookup network.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado replaced Flock cameras with a contract with Axon worth nearly $22.8 million. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Axon contract included 100 Axon cameras and first responder drones.

In Minnesota, State Statutes require all data obtained by an ALPR that is not related to an active criminal investigation to be destroyed no later than 60 days from the date of collection. Minnesota State Statutes also require each agency that uses ALPRs to maintain a public log of its use.

Minnesota State Statutes require agencies utilizing ALPRs to notify the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension within ten days of installation or current use. The Duluth Police Department has reported the installation and use of nine fixed ALPRs.

In Iowa, there are nearly 37 Flock cameras in Council Bluffs. There are more than 20 Flock cameras in Douglas County, Iowa.

In Illinois, law 625 ILCS 5/2-130 mandates that license plate reader data may not be used to investigate or enforce laws interfering with reproductive health care services. The same Illinois law mandates that license plate reader data may not be used to permit the detention or investigation of a person based on immigration status.

PureSource News previously reported that California Voters Decide on Republican-Backed Voter ID Proposal. PureSource News also previously reported that California Qualifies Voter ID Proposal for November Ballot. Earlier coverage on 2026-06-14 reported that the California Legislature was in a standoff with the DMV over sharing driver license data with other states. Earlier coverage on 2026-06-30 reported that California would share driver license data despite fears it could expose unauthorized immigrants.

Senate Bill 1013 represents a significant regulatory shift for automated license plate readers in California, where the technology is most densely deployed in the United States. The bill reduces the data retention period from the 60 days proposed in previous legislation to 30 days, a 50% decrease in the time agencies can hold data not linked to active investigations.

The debate shows a tension between privacy advocates concerned about mass surveillance and law enforcement officials who rely on the technology for criminal investigations. While supporters argue the audits and training requirements ensure responsible use, opponents warn that shorter retention windows could hinder the ability to solve crimes that develop over longer periods.

Why It Matters

With California hosting the nation's highest concentration of automated license plate readers, Senate Bill 1013 establishes a potential statewide framework for data retention and oversight. The legislation creates a direct conflict between privacy advocates seeking to limit mass surveillance and law enforcement officials who argue shorter data timelines hinder criminal investigations. This debate follows a previous gubernatorial veto of similar restrictions, showing the ongoing tension between civil liberties and investigative capabilities in states deploying widespread vehicle tracking technology.