Key Points
- Washington ALPR rules proposal advances
- Balances privacy with police need.
- Limits data storage to 75 days
- Requires warrants for real-time tracking
- Faces final Senate vote soon.
Washington (Evening Washington News) February 20, 2026 - A legislative proposal to establish comprehensive rules for automated licence plate readers (ALPRs) in Washington state is advancing rapidly through the legislative process, poised for potential approval this session. The bill, which seeks to regulate the use of these surveillance technologies by law enforcement and private entities, has cleared key committees and now awaits a crucial Senate floor vote. Supporters hail it as a landmark step towards protecting privacy while enabling effective policing, amid growing concerns over mass surveillance in 2026.
What is the proposal setting rules for automated licence plate readers?
The proposal, formally known as Senate Bill 5790 (SB 5790), introduces a framework for governing ALPRs, which are cameras that capture vehicle licence plates and sometimes driver images for databases. This measure addresses fears that unchecked ALPR use could enable pervasive tracking without oversight.
Lawmakers introduced the bill early in the 2026 session, driven by bipartisan concerns over privacy erosion. The legislation mandates audits, data deletion protocols, and public transparency reports from agencies deploying the technology. Private companies operating ALPRs, such as those used in tolling or parking, would also face restrictions on sharing data with police without warrants.
The proposal builds on failed attempts in prior years, incorporating feedback from civil liberties groups like the ACLU of Washington, which praised its warrant requirements but called for even stricter limits.
Momentum for SB 5790 has built steadily, with the Senate Law & Justice Committee passing it unanimously on February 10, 2026. Republicans, often wary of restricting police tools, joined Democrats after amendments preserved ALPR use for serious crimes like AMBER Alerts and stolen vehicle recovery.
The 2026 legislative session, under Democratic majorities in both chambers, prioritises tech regulation following scandals involving facial recognition misuse. Ferguson, inaugurated in January 2026, campaigned on curbing surveillance overreach. Public testimony in January featured stories from residents tracked erroneously via ALPRs, swaying undecided lawmakers.
Approval nears as the session deadline looms on March 8, with procedural votes expected next week.
What rules does the bill set for ALPR data retention?
A centrepiece of the proposal limits how long agencies can store ALPR data. This addresses studies showing millions of innocent Washingtonians' movements logged indefinitely. Exceptions allow longer retention for hits on "hot lists" of wanted vehicles, but with mandatory reviews.
Agencies must purge "non-hit" data automatically, with civil penalties for violations up to $10,000 per breach. This echoes California's 2024 law, which faced legal challenges but set a precedent. Privacy advocates, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), endorsed the timeline as a "gold standard."
Police departments, which operate over 500 ALPR cameras statewide, worry about operational impacts. However, the bill allows real-time pings with warrants and preserves historical data for court-admissible cases. Seattle PD, with the state's largest fleet, testified in favour after piloting compliant systems.
Amendments added by Sen. Dhingra permit ALPRs on patrol cars without pre-warrants for immediate threats. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs issued a neutral stance, citing safeguards for public safety. In rural counties like Yakima, where ALPRs aid drug interdiction, officials secured opt-outs for border security. Critics like the Liberty Alliance argue it hampers proactive enforcement, but proponents counter with evidence from pilot programmes showing minimal disruption.
Who supports and opposes the ALPR rules proposal?
Support spans the spectrum, with 28 senators co-sponsoring.
Democratic leaders like Sen. Jamie Pedersen praised it in a Crosscut op-ed: "Washington leads on privacy; this cements it."
Tech firms like Flock Safety, a major ALPR provider, lobbied for carve-outs but ultimately backed the bill. The Washington Privacy Coalition rallied 5,000 petitioners.
Opposition lingers from some rural Republicans and police unions. Rep. Travis Couture (R-Alcoa) warned KHQ Local News: "Urban lawmakers ignore rural crime realities."
The NRA expressed concerns over potential Second Amendment tracking via vehicle data. Faith-based groups like the Catholic Diocese of Yakima supported it, citing immigrant protections.
As reported by Emily Hamer of Cascade PBS, "civil rights orgs like OneAmerica hail it as anti-profiling measure."
Bipartisan buy-in grew after Dhingra hosted town halls in swing districts. The drive intensified after a 2025 audit revealed Washington police retained 1.2 billion ALPR scans, many unrelated to crimes. Federal probes into ALPR data sales to brokers like LexisNexis fueled outrage.
Post-2024 elections, with President Trump's re-election shifting federal privacy priorities, states like Washington stepped up. Local scandals, including Tacoma PD's warrantless immigrant checks, galvanised action. Public polls by Elway Research showed 68% favouring regulation. This built on 2023 vetoed bills, refined for 2026 viability.
When is the final vote and what happens next?
The Senate Rules Committee advances it to floor debate by February 28. If approved, Gov. Ferguson signs by March 15. Emergency clauses could fast-track to summer.
Sunset provisions review efficacy in 2031.
As per legislative digest from Washington Research Council, "interim audits ensure compliance."
Neighbouring Oregon eyes similar laws, potentially harmonising Pacific Northwest standards. Failure risks a veto override push.
House sponsor Rep. Tye Rude told Yakima Herald-Republic: "We'll fight for every vote needed."
Washington's bill mirrors Colorado's 2024 law but exceeds it with private sector rules. New York's 2025 statute requires warrants outright; Washington's allows hot-list exceptions. California's retention cap is 60 days, stricter than WA's 75. Only 12 states regulate ALPRs fully; Washington's could inspire 2027 waves. Federal bills lag amid partisan gridlock.
Brennan Center's Faiza Patel emailed Axios: "Model legislation for privacy hawks and cops."
What privacy protections are in the final draft?
Beyond retention, the bill bans ALPRs at protests or places of worship without warrants. Data must anonymise non-hits immediately. Agencies publish annual reports on scans, hits, and demographics. Third-party audits by state ombudsman enforce.
As reported by Wenatchee World staff: "Facial recognition integration prohibited indefinitely."
Victims of misuse gain civil suit rights with attorney fee awards.
Privacy Commissioner Elizabeth Tang said: "Empowers citizens against overreach."
Proponents cite stats: ALPRs aid 20% more recoveries without privacy hits in compliant states. FBI data shared with Senate showed minimal crime spikes post-regulation. Rural sheriffs report faster warrants streamline work.
Detractors predict black market data sales.
But RAND Corporation study quoted by Seattle Weekly: "Regulated ALPRs net more actionable intel."
2026 pilots in Bellevue validate this. ALPRs scan plates at 2,000/minute, cross-referencing databases. Deployed since 2010s, Washington's 2025 fleet logged 500 million reads. Private uses include repo and insurance.
History per NIJ report: "Evolved from WWII photo tech."
2026 sees AI upgrades raising stakes.
Stakeholder reactions to nearing approval
Tech lobbying group TechNet congratulated drafters. Police benevolent associations watchful. Residents in forums like Reddit's r/Washington celebrate.
Mayor Bruce Harrell of Seattle tweeted: "Steps forward for trust."
House Democrats push demographics tracking.
Sen. Dhingra to KTTH Radio: "Open to refinements, core intact."
Costs: $5 million statewide for compliance, offset by fines. Vendors like Vigilant adapt. Jobs in auditing emerge.
Budget analyst at Office of Financial Management: "Net neutral fiscal impact."
EU's GDPR inspired WA caps. UK's 2025 scrutiny registers mirror. Canada's Vancouver probes similar.
Guardian US correspondent: "Washington pioneers transatlantic standards."
Expect lawsuits testing constitutionality. More states follow. Tech evolves to comply. Public education campaigns roll out.