Comment by tzs

As currently written in the Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, and Merkley bill that funding cut provision is unconstitutional. Such provisions can only cut funding for things that are at least somewhat related to what the bill is regulating.

As written, it cuts off funding from entire agencies. For example it cuts DHS funds, which would include Medicaid reimbursements to the state for its health services to low-income residents. There is no way to make a case that Medicaid funding is in any way related to ALPR regulation.

The bill also is way too loose in its definitions. As written if someone reported a stolen car, gave the license plate, an officer entered that into a database of stolen cars, later another officer pulled over a car for speeding, entered its plate into the computer in their squad car, the computer looked it up in the database of stolen cars and generated an alert--that would count as using an ALPR and be at odds with the bill.