Texas lawmakers used $1 car insurance fee to fund Flock surveillance cameras

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Texas legislators quietly added a $1 fee to car insurance policies, with the collected funds being channeled toward purchasing Flock license plate reader cameras. The money was distributed through MVCPA grants to law enforcement agencies across the state. Flock cameras are automated surveillance devices that capture and store vehicle data, raising privacy concerns among critics. The arrangement effectively made Texas drivers unknowing funders of a statewide surveillance expansion. The report, published by the Texas Tribune in August 2026, highlights how public fees can be redirected to technology contracts with limited public awareness.

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