Reps. Massie, Burlison Introduce Legislation to Defund Surveillance State Cameras

September 3, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO-07) today joined Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in introducing legislation that would prohibit the use of federal funds to purchase, install, maintain, operate, or upgrade automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and biometric surveillance cameras. “Technology may change, but our constitutional rights do not,” said Congressman Eric Burlison . “The Fourth Amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches, and advances in surveillance technology should not come at the expense of our privacy and liberty. The federal government should not use taxpayer dollars to build a surveillance state that tracks law-abiding Americans. Our rights are unalienable, and Congress has a responsibility to protect them.” “The federal government shouldn’t provide ‘security’ grants to cities and police departments that have gone beyond the pale and turned their communities into a version of 1984,” said Congressman Thomas Massie . “The Flock-Off Act withholds federal money from municipalities and police departments that deploy Flock cameras to surveil law-abiding citizens. Federal taxpayers should not be forced to fund the surveillance state.” The legislation would: Cuts off federal funding for Flock-style surveillance by prohibiting federal funds from being used to purchase, install, maintain, operate, or upgrade automated license plate readers and biometric surveillance cameras. Requires federal agencies to remove federally funded systems and requires state and local recipients to stop operating them within 180 days as a condition of continued funding under the relevant federal program. Withholds federal program funds from recipients until violations of the spending prohibitions are repaid to the United States Treasury. Prohibits federal funds from paying for contracts, subscriptions, cloud services, databases, or data-sharing arrangements connected to covered camera systems. Covers AI-augmented automated license plate readers and biometric cameras. Defines biometric data to include facial recognition, voiceprints, iris and retinal scans, fingerprints, and gait recognition. Provides an exception allowing continued federal funding for cameras located within 1 mile of the Northern and Southern borders that are used for the detection and interdiction of unlawful entry, human trafficking, and drug smuggling. Allows the continued use of federal funds for ALPRs used solely to collect, administer, or enforce tolls. Original cosponsors of H.R. 10221 include Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Chip Roy (R-TX), and Victoria Spartz (R-IN). The text of the bill is available here .