SB2 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Arthur OrrSenator

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Greg AlbrittonTom ButlerSteve LivingstonGreg J. ReedJ.T. Waggoner

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

License plate scanners, limited use of on public highways by law enforcement agencies, confidentiality, destruction of information collected, criminal penalties

Summary

SB2 would regulate how law enforcement uses automated license plate recognition on public highways, adding privacy protections, data handling rules, and penalties for misuse.

What This Bill Does

It allows law enforcement to collect license plate data with ALPR systems for law enforcement purposes, but requires transfer to a secure agency repository within 24 hours and retention for up to five years. Agencies must adopt and publish written policies on use, retention, sharing, training, and access, and keep a record of users who access the data. The bill prohibits selling ALPR data or sharing it with non-law enforcement individuals or groups, and creates a Class C misdemeanor for obtaining ALPR data under false pretenses. It also ensures the data is not a public record and requires audits when ALPR data is used with FBI or state systems.

Who It Affects

• Law enforcement agencies in Alabama, which would need to implement ALPR policies, securely store data within 24 hours, limit data retention to five years, share data only with other law enforcement agencies, maintain access logs, and undergo audits when combined with federal or state data.
• Members of the public or individuals whose license plate data might be collected, who would gain privacy protections such as confidentiality of collected data, restriction on public access, limits on how long data can be kept, and penalties for misuse or for obtaining data under false pretenses.

Key Provisions

• Defines automated license plate recognition (ALPR) systems and terms like law enforcement agency, law enforcement purpose, and ALPR data.
• Allows data collection for law enforcement purposes but requires immediate transfer to a secure repository within 24 hours and limits retention to five years; permits sharing with other law enforcement agencies.
• Requires agencies to publish written policies on ALPR use, data retention, sharing, training, and data access; requires maintaining a log of users who access ALPR data.
• Prohibits sale of ALPR data and restricts access to law enforcement personnel; imposes a Class C misdemeanor for individuals who solicit, obtain, or use data under false pretenses; data not considered public records and subject to privacy protections; mandates audits when ALPR data is used with other federal/state data.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Surveillance