OR SB1516: Relating to public safety; and declaring an emergency.

In one paragraph

Oregon's 2026 public safety act (Chapter 77, in effect since it was signed on March 31, 2026) sets statewide rules for police use of automated license plate recognition (ALPR): cameras combined with computer algorithms that read plates and vehicle traits. Police may use ALPR only for listed purposes, must delete data not tied to a case or investigation within 30 days, log every search, publish their policies and their vendors' monthly audits, and may share data with non-Oregon agencies only for a specific law enforcement purpose. Vendors may not use, share or sell the data. The act also changes pretrial release and two state grant programs.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

ALPR vendors serving Oregon police must treat data as agency-owned, encrypt it, meet CJIS rules, deliver audits and never use or sell it; new or renewed contracts must comply.

Key provisions

1. 1ALPR = high-speed cameras plus computer algorithms that convert plate or vehicle images to data; red-light and photo-radar cameras excluded
2. 2Allowed uses: vehicles tied to crimes or non-traffic violations, outstanding warrants, missing or endangered persons, uninsured or unregistered vehicles, parking and secured areas; federal crimes and warrants only where consistent with Oregon's sanctuary laws
3. 3Data unrelated to a court case or ongoing investigation kept no more than 30 days; every search logged with user, purpose and inputs
4. 4Sharing with non-Oregon government agencies only for a specific law enforcement purpose, limited to relevant data, with no unrestricted or ongoing access
5. 5Vendors provide searchable monthly and quarterly audits, which agencies publish within two days; agencies publish ALPR policies before use
6. 6Vendor contracts: agency owns the data, end-to-end encryption, FBI CJIS compliance; existing contracts run to term but new or renewed ones must comply
7. 7Vendors may not access, share or sell the data; people can sue a vendor for intentional or grossly negligent misuse
8. 8Signed March 31, 2026 (Chapter 77, 2026 Laws); effective on signing (emergency clause)

Latest legislative action

Mar 31, 2026. Governor signed; Chapter 77, 2026 Laws; effective date March 31, 2026

Sponsors (showing 5 of 25)

Roll call votes (showing 3 of 4)