Oregon Governor Signs Law Regulating License Plate Readers

Governor Tina Kotek signed Senate Bill 1516 into law on March 31, 2026, establishing a regulatory framework for automated license plate readers (ALPR) used by law enforcement. The law limits data retention to 30 days unless the information is linked to a criminal inquiry and prohibits using the technology to violate state sanctuary laws.

A central feature of the legislation is the private right of action, which allows Oregon residents to sue technology vendors for damages if they intentionally or negligently misuse, sell, or disclose captured data. This includes the unauthorized sharing of information with federal immigration authorities without a warrant. The law also mandates end-to-end encryption of data and requires vendors to provide monthly and quarterly public audits.

The legislation follows concerns regarding how vendors like Flock Safety and agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement handle surveillance data. While the law aims to prevent unauthorized federal access, critics like Ky Fireside argue that the encryption requirements lack a precise legal definition, potentially allowing vendors to skirt the bill's intent.