Oregon SB 1516 — ALPR limits and vendor liability (2026)

Oregon SB 1516 (2026 R1), 'Relating to public safety; and declaring an emergency' (omnibus; ALPR provisions are Sections 3-9). HISTORY (OLIS): introduced 2026-02-02; Senate passed 2026-02-20, 27 ayes, 3 excused (carried by Prozanski); House passed 2026-03-05, 54-3, 3 excused (carried by Kropf); Governor signed 2026-03-31; Chapter 77, 2026 Laws; effective March 31, 2026. KEY TEXT (enrolled): Sec. 4(1) a law enforcement agency 'may not use an automated license plate recognition system or captured license plate data' except as provided, with allowed uses in Sec. 4(2): identifying vehicles used in crimes (Oregon crimes; substantially equivalent out-of-state crimes; federal crimes only where not contrary to ORS 24.500 / ORS 181A.250, 181A.820, 181A.826), non-traffic violations, vehicles of persons with outstanding criminal warrants (same federal limit), missing or endangered persons (Amber/Silver Alert), uninsured vehicles, unregistered vehicles, parking regulation, secured-area access control. Sec. 4(3): 30-day retention cap for data not tied to a court proceeding or ongoing criminal investigation. Sec. 5: limits on giving data to non-Oregon government entities (only for a law enforcement purpose, limited to relevant data, no unrestricted or ongoing access). Sec. 6: vendor-provided audits (searches, users, alerts, agencies with access). Sec. 7: agencies must publish ALPR policies before use; vendor contracts must keep data agency-owned, encrypted and CJIS-compliant, and make the vendor liable for misuse. Sec. 8: existing contracts may run out their term but cannot be extended or renewed unless compliant; Sec. 4 applies regardless. Sec. 9: vendors may not access, disclose, sell, share or otherwise use captured data (narrow exceptions for technical support with express consent, and audits); intentional or grossly negligent violations give the individual a civil action for economic and noneconomic damages, equitable relief and attorney fees; any person may sue to enjoin. The OLIS measure summary also mentions civil penalties; that term was not found in a keyword search of the enrolled text. CONTEXT: Oregon Capital Chronicle (Sept 24, 2026) reports Reps. Willy Chotzen (D-Portland) and Alek Skarlatos (R-Winston) plan 2027 legislation that could ban Flock cameras; no bill introduced yet.