New License Plate Part Of 'Spy Cam' Plan?

[UPDATED] Governor Henry's plan to install more than 220 highway "spy" cameras to record vehicle license plates has been flying below the radar in state government for years and despite a few sporadic news stories, the full extent of the system, and those involved in implementing it, has not become apparent until now.

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It appears planning for the system has been underway for at least four years.

Henry's budget proposal listed the system as the generator of $50 million in new revenue for the state. But in all the discussions, there's been no public mention that can be found of the tiny barcodes on the new plates.

The new license plates were designed to allow the use of highway "spy cameras" to read them and identify the vehicle as insured or uninsured, state records show.

The plates, first issued last year, contain the small barcode across the bottom on the right that is inconspicuous and not noticed by most owners. The sample plates issued by the state and distributed to the media did not contain a barcode sample; that space was empty. Defenders of the system say today that the barcode is not part of the highway camera plan.

The new plate movement sparked interest more than a year ago when Republican Rep. Ken Miller discussed his House Bill 2013, and what he said was the need for a new plate design, on the House floor. During the discussion, he was questioned by Reps. Charles Key and Mike Reynolds.

At one point in the discussion, Miller was asked if there had been discussion between involved parties and InsureNet and if the new or altered language is the result of that communication. Miller said (paraphrasing) that, “Yes,” there had been communication and while InsureNet submitted suggestions, none of their language was used.

Reynolds asked what would be InsureNet’s interest in changes. Miller says because they (InsureNet) would like to be the carrier (for a new highway camera license-reading system).

Miller said he has never advocated the highway camera plan, that his desire to see a new license plate for the state is not related to the plan in any way, and that the barcode is not a part of the technology.

InsureNet technology assigns a "UC", (Unique Code), to each combination of policy and VIN, (Vehicle Identification Number), which becomes the 'bridge' between insurers and government entities and records. In other words, the code allows instant access to information about the vehicle and its owner.

The use of codes on license plates has raised privacy concerns; in Nevada, gun owners protested a similar plan because they said it would allow others to trace them by using their license plate information. InsureNet assures that privacy is protected, but skeptics remain.

Said Reynolds of the highway cameras last year: “That’s a horrible idea. It’s Big Brother at its finest.”

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