Oklahoma · House Bill · 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
HB1626
Oklahoma HB 1626 — An Act relating to motor vehicles; defining terms; authorizing certain use of automatic license plate reader systems

Status ● Failed Effective N/A Passage Likelihood L

WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE

How Is This Bill Enforced

Enforcement Authority
No enforcement authority or penalties are specified in the bill. The bill authorizes and constrains law enforcement agency use of ALPR systems and requires a permit from the Department of Transportation, but does not designate an enforcement agency for violations of the bill's requirements or create a private right of action.
Private Right of Action
No private right of action. Enforcement is exclusive to the designated authority.
Penalties
The bill does not specify any monetary penalties, remedies, or damages for violations.

What This Bill Requires

Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.

Statutory Text
Analysis & Obligations
47 O.S. § 15-133
Automatic license plate reader systems — Definitions, authorization, permits, policy, and operational requirements
Government

(A) A. For purposes of this section: 1. "AlertAlert"Alert" means a notification generated by an automated license plate recognition system indicating that a vehicle passed an automated license plate recognition system camera with a license plate or vehicle characteristics that match data held by the National Crime Information Center or other database or hot list;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(1)" means a notification generated by an automated license plate recognition system indicating that a vehicle passed an automated license plate recognition system camera with a license plate or vehicle characteristics that match data held by the National Crime Information Center or other database or hot listHot list"Hot list" means a list of license plates or vehicle characteristics against which vehicles passing by automatic license plate recognition system cameras are checked for matches;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(4); 2. "Automatic license plate reader systemAutomatic license plate reader system"Automatic license plate reader system" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(2)" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data; 3. "Highway right-of-wayHighway right-of-way"Highway right-of-way" means a public road being maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(3)" means a public road being maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. 4. "Hot listHot list"Hot list" means a list of license plates or vehicle characteristics against which vehicles passing by automatic license plate recognition system cameras are checked for matches;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(4)" means a list of license plates or vehicle characteristics against which vehicles passing by automatic license plate recognition system cameras are checked for matches; 5. "Law enforcement agencyLaw enforcement agency"Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(5)" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel; and 6. "License plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6)" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader systemAutomatic license plate reader system"Automatic license plate reader system" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(2);

(B) 1 B. In accordance with applicable state and federal laws governing the use and management of highway rights-of-way and subject to the approval of the Federal Highway Administration as required by federal law, automatic license plate reader systemsAutomatic license plate reader system"Automatic license plate reader system" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(2) may be utilized on highway rights-of-way to the extent that such use is consistent with the continued use, operation, maintenance, and safety of the highway facility and does not interfere with the free and safe flow of traffic. Except as provided in Sections 7-606.1 and 7-606.2 of this title, such devices shall not be used to enforce state or local traffic violations or issue citations for such violations.

(C) 2 C. Prior to installing an automatic license plate reader systemAutomatic license plate reader system"Automatic license plate reader system" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(2) camera on a highway right-of-wayHighway right-of-way"Highway right-of-way" means a public road being maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(3), a law enforcement agencyLaw enforcement agency"Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(5) shall obtain a permit from the Department of Transportation. The Department shall issue a permit to the law enforcement agencyLaw enforcement agency"Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(5) that meets standards set by the Department.

(D) 3 D. In addition to Sections 7-606.1 and 7-606.2 of this title, operation of and access to an automatic license plate reader systemAutomatic license plate reader system"Automatic license plate reader system" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(2) by law enforcement agencies shall be for official law enforcement purposes only.

(E) 4 E. Prior to the use of an automatic license plate recognition system, a law enforcement agencyLaw enforcement agency"Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(5) shall adopt and make publicly available a written policy governing the use of the automatic license plate recognition system that includes, at a minimum: 1. Supervisory oversight of the automatic license plate recognition system; 2. Training protocol for automatic license plate recognition system users; 3. Protocol for ensuring hot listsHot list"Hot list" means a list of license plates or vehicle characteristics against which vehicles passing by automatic license plate recognition system cameras are checked for matches;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(4) stay up to date; 4. Rules for access to and security of license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6); 5. Rules for retention and destruction of license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6); and 6. An audit schedule and process to ensure that the system is used in accordance with this section and agency policy.

(F)(1) 5 F. A law enforcement agencyLaw enforcement agency"Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(5) using an automatic license plate recognition system shall comply with the following: 1. Upon receipt of an alertAlert"Alert" means a notification generated by an automated license plate recognition system indicating that a vehicle passed an automated license plate recognition system camera with a license plate or vehicle characteristics that match data held by the National Crime Information Center or other database or hot list;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(1) and prior to performing a traffic stop, an officer, dispatcher, or other law enforcement agencyLaw enforcement agency"Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(5) employee shall visually confirm that the scanned plate matches the alertAlert"Alert" means a notification generated by an automated license plate recognition system indicating that a vehicle passed an automated license plate recognition system camera with a license plate or vehicle characteristics that match data held by the National Crime Information Center or other database or hot list;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(1) with regard to plate letters, numbers, and issuing state and confirm that the stop meets criteria laid out in the policies of the law enforcement agencyLaw enforcement agency"Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(5) and applicable law;

(F)(2) 6 2. License plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) shall be deleted within thirty (30) days of being recorded in such a manner that the record is destroyed and not recoverable, unless the record is a part of an ongoing investigation, in which case the data shall be retained and destroyed in accordance with applicable records retention laws;

(F)(3) 7 3. License plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) shall be encrypted in transmission and at rest, utilizing industry-recognized encryption protocols to safeguard against unauthorized access. The data must be stored in a manner that meets or exceeds the requirements set forth by recognized standards such as IS0/IEC 27001, ensuring comprehensive security measures including, but not limited to, physical security, access control, and regular security assessments;

(F)(4) 8 4. Any license plate or vehicle added to a hot listHot list"Hot list" means a list of license plates or vehicle characteristics against which vehicles passing by automatic license plate recognition system cameras are checked for matches;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(4) in order to trigger an alertAlert"Alert" means a notification generated by an automated license plate recognition system indicating that a vehicle passed an automated license plate recognition system camera with a license plate or vehicle characteristics that match data held by the National Crime Information Center or other database or hot list;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(1) and any search performed of license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) shall be supported by a legitimate, specific, and documented law enforcement purpose;

(F)(5) 9 5. Access logs for the automatic license plate recognition system shall be maintained to provide a clear audit trail for oversight and accountability purposes;

(F)(6) 10 6. A law enforcement agencyLaw enforcement agency"Law enforcement agency" means any county sheriff, municipal police department, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and any state or local public body that employs public safety personnel;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(5) authorized to use an automatic license plate recognition system under this section shall own the license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) and shall not sell license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) for any purpose; and

(F)(7) 7. Law enforcement agencies may share license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) with other law enforcement agencies for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

This section establishes the complete regulatory framework for law enforcement use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems in Oklahoma. It defines the key terms, authorizes ALPR use on highway rights-of-way subject to federal approval and safety conditions, prohibits use for traffic enforcement (with narrow exceptions), requires a Department of Transportation permit before installation, limits system access to official law enforcement purposes, and mandates that agencies adopt and publicly disclose a comprehensive written use policy before deploying the technology.

The section also imposes detailed operational requirements on law enforcement agencies using ALPR systems, including mandatory visual confirmation of plate matches before traffic stops, a 30-day data deletion default with an investigation exception, encryption and storage security standards referencing ISO/IEC 27001, documented law enforcement purpose for hot list entries and data searches, access logging, a prohibition on selling ALPR data, and authorization for inter-agency data sharing for legitimate law enforcement purposes.

Compliance actions 10 items
1
Law enforcement agencies must not use automatic license plate reader systemsAutomatic license plate reader system"Automatic license plate reader system" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(2) to enforce state or local traffic violations or issue citations for such violations, except as provided in Sections 7-606.1 and 7-606.2.
2
Law enforcement agencies must obtain a permit from the Department of Transportation before installing an automatic license plate reader systemAutomatic license plate reader system"Automatic license plate reader system" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(2) camera on a highway right-of-wayHighway right-of-way"Highway right-of-way" means a public road being maintained by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(3).
3
Law enforcement agencies must limit operation of and access to automatic license plate reader systemsAutomatic license plate reader system"Automatic license plate reader system" means a system of one or more law-enforcement-controlled cameras combined with computer algorithms to convert images of registration plates into computer-readable data;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(2) to official law enforcement purposes only.
4
Law enforcement agencies must, before using an ALPR system, adopt and make publicly available a written use policy that includes at minimum: supervisory oversight, user training protocol, hot listHot list"Hot list" means a list of license plates or vehicle characteristics against which vehicles passing by automatic license plate recognition system cameras are checked for matches;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(4) maintenance protocol, data access and security rules, data retention and destruction rules, and an audit schedule.
PS-01.2
5
Law enforcement officers must visually confirm that a scanned plate matches the alertAlert"Alert" means a notification generated by an automated license plate recognition system indicating that a vehicle passed an automated license plate recognition system camera with a license plate or vehicle characteristics that match data held by the National Crime Information Center or other database or hot list;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(1) — including plate letters, numbers, and issuing state — and confirm the stop meets agency policy and applicable law before performing a traffic stop based on an ALPR alertAlert"Alert" means a notification generated by an automated license plate recognition system indicating that a vehicle passed an automated license plate recognition system camera with a license plate or vehicle characteristics that match data held by the National Crime Information Center or other database or hot list;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(1).
6
Law enforcement agencies must delete license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) within 30 days of recording in an unrecoverable manner, unless the record is part of an ongoing investigation, in which case data must be retained and destroyed under applicable records retention laws.
7
Law enforcement agencies must encrypt license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) in transmission and at rest using industry-recognized protocols and store data in a manner meeting or exceeding ISO/IEC 27001 standards, including physical security, access control, and regular security assessments.
8
Law enforcement agencies must ensure that every license plate or vehicle added to a hot listHot list"Hot list" means a list of license plates or vehicle characteristics against which vehicles passing by automatic license plate recognition system cameras are checked for matches;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(4) and every search of license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) is supported by a legitimate, specific, and documented law enforcement purpose.
9
Law enforcement agencies must maintain access logs for the automatic license plate recognition system to provide a clear audit trail for oversight and accountability purposes.
10
Law enforcement agencies that use ALPR systems must own the license plate reader dataLicense plate reader data"License plate reader data" means the global positioning device coordinates, date and time, photograph, license plate number, and vehicle characteristics captured by an automatic license plate reader system;47 O.S. § 15-133(A)(6) and must not sell that data for any purpose.
Section 2
Effective date

This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.

This section establishes the effective date of the act as November 1, 2025.

Passage Likelihood

Failed
Status Failed
Final action Second Reading referred to Rules

Legislative History

2025-02-03 First Reading
2025-02-03 Authored by Representative George
2025-02-04 Second Reading referred to Rules

Entry Last Reviewed

2026-05-20
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