An Act to create 165.985 of the statutes; Relating to: a grant program for the purchase of automated registration plate reader systems. (FE)
Summary
SB299 creates a new state grant program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, to help law enforcement agencies buy automated registration plate reader systems. These systems are defined as high-speed cameras paired with data processing that convert license plate and vehicle images into computer-readable data. The grants are intended for public safety and law enforcement use, and agencies seeking funding must apply and submit a proposed spending plan.
The bill also sets a distribution requirement for the program: DOJ must ensure that at least 50% of grant funds go to law enforcement agencies located in rural areas. For purposes of the bill, a rural area is a city, town, or village with fewer than 20,000 residents that is at least 15 miles from any community of 20,000 or more. The bill includes Marquette University police in the definition of eligible law enforcement agencies, but excludes state agencies from eligibility.
Impact
If enacted, SB299 would create a new section of Wisconsin statutes, s. 165.985, and authorize DOJ to award grants for automated registration plate reader systems. It would affect local law enforcement agencies, tribal law enforcement agencies, and Marquette University police by making them eligible applicants, while excluding state agencies. The bill would also direct state grant dollars toward rural communities by requiring at least half of awarded funds to go to agencies in rural areas, potentially expanding access to surveillance and investigative technology in those areas.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no detailed public debate to characterize. The bill was introduced with bipartisan-looking cosponsorship and was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety, but it ultimately failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1. Based on the text alone, the bill appears framed as a public safety funding measure rather than a controversial regulatory change, though the lack of recorded discussion limits assessment of overall sentiment.
Contention
The main likely points of contention are the use of automated license plate reader technology itself and the expansion of surveillance tools for law enforcement, including concerns about privacy, data retention, and potential misuse. Another possible issue is the bill’s funding priority for rural agencies, which may be viewed as beneficial by rural supporters but as a limitation on broader statewide distribution by others. Eligibility rules may also draw attention, particularly the inclusion of Marquette University police and the exclusion of state agencies.
Crossfiled
An Act to create 165.985 of the statutes; Relating to: a grant program for the purchase of automated registration plate reader systems. (FE)
Limiting the use of automatic registration plate readers, requiring a search warrant for data from an automatic registration plate reader or security camera, and providing a penalty.