H.R.546 - Investing in Safer Traffic Stops Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.546, the Investing in Safer Traffic Stops Act of 2025, proposes a grant program managed by the Attorney General. This program would fund local, state, and tribal governments to shift traffic violation enforcement from law enforcement officers to civilians or traffic monitoring technology. The bill allocates $100 million annually from 2026 to 2031 for this purpose.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be a change in who enforces traffic laws. This could lead to fewer interactions between law enforcement and the public during traffic stops. It may also result in a shift in employment from law enforcement to civilian roles within government entities.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced potential for escalation during traffic stops due to less confrontational interactions with civilians.
- Potential for more efficient traffic enforcement through the use of technology.
- Reallocation of law enforcement resources to focus on more serious crimes.
- Creation of new civilian jobs in local, state, and tribal governments.
- Increased data collection and analysis of traffic violations, leading to better traffic management.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for job losses among law enforcement officers.
- Concerns about the effectiveness of civilian enforcement in handling complex or dangerous situations.
- Risk of privacy violations through the use of traffic monitoring technology.
- Possible increase in traffic fines and revenue generation for local governments, leading to accusations of revenue-driven enforcement.
- Potential for decreased public trust if civilian enforcement is perceived as unfair or biased.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is primarily related to the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. By providing grants to state and local entities for traffic enforcement, the federal government is influencing an area traditionally managed at the state and local level. However, the spending clause (Article I, Section 8) grants Congress the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare, which could justify the grant program. The use of traffic monitoring technology raises potential Fourth Amendment concerns regarding unreasonable searches and seizures, depending on the specific technologies deployed and the data collected.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).