U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
SB5544: Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2026
Status: In committee, September 24, 2026
A bill to prohibit biometric surveillance by the Federal Government without explicit statutory authorization and to withhold certain Federal public safety grants from State and local governments that engage in biometric surveillance.
What the bill says
To prohibit biometric surveillance by the Federal Government without explicit statutory authorization and to withhold certain Federal public safety grants from State and local governments that engage in biometric surveillance.
From the introduced text, September 24, 2026:
A BILL To prohibit biometric surveillance by the Federal Government without explicit statutory authorization and to withhold certain Federal public safety grants from State and local governments that engage in biometric surveillance. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2026 . SECTION 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Biometric surveillance system The term biometric surveillance system means any computer software that performs facial recognition or other biometric recognition in real time or on a recording or photograph. (2) Byrne grant program The term Byrne grant program means the grant program authorized under subpart 1 of part E of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( 34 U.S.C. 10151 et seq. ), whether characterized as the Edward Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance Programs, the Local Government Law Enforcement Block Grants Program, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program, or otherwise. (3) Facial recognition The term facial recognition means an automated or semi-automated process that-- (A) assists in identifying an individual, capturing information about an individual, matching an individual to a list, or otherwise generating or assisting in generating surveillance or identification information about an individual based on the physical characteristics of the individual's face; or (B) logs characteristics …
Sponsors
- Markey, Edward (D) · primary sponsor
- Merkley, Jeff (D, SD-OR)
- Wyden, Ron (D, SD-OR)
- Warren, Elizabeth (D)
Latest actions
- : Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- : Introduced in Senate
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Common questions
- What is SB5544?
- SB5544 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2026.
- What does SB5544 do?
- In its own words: To prohibit biometric surveillance by the Federal Government without explicit statutory authorization and to withhold certain Federal public safety grants from State and local governments that engage in biometric surveillance.
- What is the status of SB5544?
- In committee as of September 24, 2026. Latest action: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (September 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5544?
- Markey, Edward (D), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5544?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5544
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.