AUTO LICENSE PLATE READER ACT

SB 71, the Automatic License Plate Reader Act, establishes rules for how New Mexico law enforcement agencies may use license plate reader technology. The bill permits scanning license plates to compare with criminal justice databases (e.g., for stolen vehicles or active warrants) but requires data deletion after 14 days unless part of an ongoing investigation, court order, or written request from a prosecutor. It mandates strict security measures to prevent unauthorized sharing, prohibits targeting individuals based on protected characteristics like race or religion, and requires annual reporting on system usage including scan volumes and match outcomes. The law directly affects law enforcement agencies and the public whose license plate data is collected under these new privacy and retention rules.