Documented Incident
Utah legislators draft ALPR privacy bill after audit finds most Weber County searches came from out of state
First reported: September 17, 2026 · 7 sources
Utah's Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee discussed a forthcoming bill proposal that would add privacy requirements for police technologies, including automated license plate readers. Committee chair Sen. Calvin Musselman, R-West Haven, said the aim is not to ban the cameras but to address privacy concerns alongside law enforcement use. The bill file was requested after Gov. Spencer Cox said he was "deeply troubled" by a Utah Civic Compact investigation reporting that roughly 97% of searches of Weber County's Flock database were run by agencies outside Utah. No legislation has been introduced or enacted yet.
Utah's review tests whether existing state limits on license plate data searches are actually being followed, particularly when out-of-state agencies query local databases — a question facing many jurisdictions that share ALPR networks.
Key facts
- A bill file has been requested ahead of the legislative session; the proposal is not yet drafted legislation and would cover multiple law enforcement technologies, not only ALPRs.
- The Utah Civic Compact reported that nearly 97% of searches in Weber County's Flock database originated with law enforcement agencies outside Utah.
- Utah law restricts license plate database searches to active criminal investigations, outstanding warrants, missing or endangered persons, and stolen vehicles.
- Gov. Cox asked the Utah Privacy Governing Board and Utah Privacy Commission to review existing rules and examine how local agencies use the cameras; he said he would back legislation if gaps are found.
- Chief privacy officer Christopher Bramwell told the committee the review is complicated because ALPRs are also used outside policing, including in higher education and by the Utah Inland Port Authority.
- The Utah Law Enforcement Legislative Committee said in a statement that responsible ALPR use can protect both public safety and individual rights.
Sources
This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.
- Utah lawmakers are eyeing new Flock camera regulations amid misuse controversies (townlift.com, September 17, 2026)
- Police defend Flock cameras as Utah lawmakers mull more regulations (KSL News, September 17, 2026)
- Utah lawmakers are eyeing new Flock camera regulations amid misuse controversies (Utah News Dispatch, September 17, 2026)
- Police defend Flock cameras as Utah lawmakers mull more regulations (KSL News, September 16, 2026)
- Utah lawmakers are eyeing new Flock camera regulations amid misuse controversies (KPCW, September 18, 2026)
- Utah lawmakers are eyeing new Flock camera regulations amid misuse controversies (Kiowa County Press, September 19, 2026)
- Utah lawmakers are eyeing new Flock camera regulations amid misuse controversies (idahostatejournal.com, September 21, 2026)
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About this record
BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.
Updated September 21, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.