LINCOLN- LB777, introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar, would limit who in Nebraska could use automatic license plate readers, and define whether or not collected data could be used in court proceedings. This bill, which was heard in front of the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, was vehemently opposed by the ACLU of Nebraska for privacy concerns.

LB777 changes some language in the Nebraska Automatic License Plate Reader Privacy Act, the law that governs the use of controversial license reader devices. The Privacy Act limits how long enforcement can retain images captured by license plate readers, which usually are set to take pictures of all passing license plates. Police have touted the devices as a game-changing crime-solving tool.

The readers capture still images of license plates which are then stored by a third-party contractor for six months. However, what is and isn't allowed under the law is vague for law enforcement, and some officers are unsure if they can use license plate photos in court settings. Bostar's bill would add language indicating that license plate data and be used in court proceedings, prompting the ACLU to fight back.

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