License Plate Readers SB 1111 | MARCH 4, 2026 | Sen. Hoffman Amendment скачать в хорошем качестве

License Plate Readers SB 1111 | MARCH 4, 2026 | Sen. Hoffman Amendment

During the Arizona Senate Committee of the Whole on March 4, 2026, lawmakers debated a floor amendment to S.B. 1111, the bill aimed at regulating automated license plate readers (ALPRs). The amendment, introduced by Senator Jake Hoffman, ultimately failed. But the discussion surrounding the use of ALPR technology in Arizona revealed deep divisions over surveillance, privacy, and the role of citizens in shaping the legislation. Bill sponsor Senator Kevin Payne described how the legislation was written. "This bill was written right here in this building," Payne said, explaining that he and his staff drafted the proposal by reviewing similar laws in Florida and Texas. Payne added that the amendment language had been “helped out” by Senate President Warren Petersen and law enforcement. Notably absent from his explanation was any mention of Arizona citizens being included in the drafting process. Senate President Warren Petersen criticized Hoffman’s amendment, suggesting it was hostile toward the bill’s sponsor. "And it appears the bill does not have — even on the underlying bill — which means that Arizona will remain status quo," Petersen said. "So what this means, since it appears this bill will be dead, is that there will be no guardrails. It will allow mass surveillance with no accountability, with no warrants, and with no Class 6 felony for misuse." Senator Carine Werner, who previously called for a study session after hearing from Arizona residents concerned about ALPR technology, spoke about the public testimony that shaped her perspective on the issue. "I was particularly compelled by Miss Caldwell and Miss Barber," Werner said. "They raised some very good concerns and had been working with the sponsors to come up with something that would make this bill palatable and have the proper guardrails." Those citizens — Caldwell and Barber — helped form a grassroots coalition known as “What the Flock,” which developed a series of citizen-led amendments aimed at strengthening privacy protections around license plate reader surveillance. Despite those efforts, none of the coalition’s proposed amendments were incorporated into the legislation, leaving the group effectively excluded from the final language of the bill. Senator Mark Finchem, a co-sponsor of the legislation, expressed frustration with Hoffman’s amendment. "This looks like a political grandstand stunt and quite frankly, I think it's offensive," Finchem said, noting that no other lawmaker had introduced separate competing legislation. Meanwhile, Senator Mitzi Epstein raised concerns about the broader implications of AI-powered surveillance systems. Epstein previously highlighted testimony from citizens who questioned the accuracy of ALPR data and the lack of mechanisms for individuals to review or correct records about themselves. "I feel it sets the stage for secret police," Epstein said during the debate. "The bill would allow for surveillance — mass surveillance — but not the right to see what information is collected about yourself. And no way to fix it. So, in these times, we want to avoid the potential for a secret police." In the end, Hoffman’s amendment failed on a 14–16 vote. TIME CODES 00:00 Sen. Kavanagh motions COW signage 00:08 Sen. Hoffman Amendment 1:11 Sen. Hoffman explains his amendment 1:43 Sen. Payne, SB1111 sponsor, explains who participated in creation of the legislation 2:38 Sen. Warren Petersen 3:55 Sen. Carine Werner 4:55 Sen. Mark Finchem 5:49 Sen. Hatathlie 8:33 Sen. Epstein 9:58 Sen. Farnsworth 10:29 The vote