Jalopnik: Republican Anti-Flock Bill Might Reach Beyond Automated Traffic Enforcement

Bill language reaches traffic cameras

The Flock-Off Act, introduced by Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie and six co-sponsors, would withdraw federal funding from municipalities with contracts for covered camera systems. Its wording is not limited to Flock and also appears to encompass automated speed and red light cameras.

Massie, who lost his primary in May, said the measure is intended to stop law enforcement from surveilling law-abiding citizens. The bill currently exempts cameras used for tolling and those within a mile of the country’s northern and southern borders.

Different cameras, different purposes

Flock’s license-plate readers record every plate that passes, building a database available to virtually every Flock customer. Speed and red light cameras, by contrast, activate when they detect a violation beyond a set threshold, and can discourage drivers from breaking traffic laws.

California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, the bill’s only Democratic co-sponsor, told Streetsblog, “I’m for speed and red light cameras.” He added that those cameras are not being abused by police officers.

Safety claims and legislative outlook

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency says speeding fell by 84% after the city first deployed speed cameras in 2025. Such cameras can also reduce the need for traffic stops, which may lead to deadly encounters or high-speed pursuits.