‘Flock Off’: Burlison helps introduce bill to pull federal funding over real-time surveillance cameras

U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison has co-sponsored legislation that would block federal funding for Flock cameras and similar real-time surveillance systems.

Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced H.R. 10221, called the Flock-Off Act, with support from Burlison and six other lawmakers from both parties.

The bill would prohibit federal money from paying for surveillance cameras, related contracts, database access and subscriptions. Existing systems purchased with federal funding would have to be removed or shut down within 180 days.

The legislation would not directly ban communities from purchasing cameras with local money. It includes exceptions for toll collection and certain border-security operations.

Burlison’s support follows concerns he raised during an August interview with Newstalk KZRG.

“I don’t want to live in a state where — or in a nation where — some kind of George Orwell dystopia where everything you do is being tracked and monitored and stored,” Burlison said.

Burlison acknowledged the cameras can help police solve crimes and find vehicles connected to Amber Alerts.

However, he said those benefits must be balanced against privacy and constitutional rights.

“I think that until we can reform them, I think that I would be fine with having a ban,” Burlison said.

The proposal has only been introduced and has not received a vote.