# What Mat-Su's Plate Reader Ban Actually Reaches > Five agencies police the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The borough is not one of them. Published 2026-09-23 by Alaska AI. 9 slides. Canonical: https://alaskaaihq.com/archive/2026-09-23/ ## The story Mat-Su banned plate readers the night it was heard. ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY. IN FORCE ON ADOPTION. The borough wrote down what the machine is. The chapter defines it as one or more high-speed camera units, alone or combined with algorithms and optical character recognition, turning images of plates, makes, models, colors and unique vehicle identifiers into computer-readable data. The subject never changes. No Borough department, division, employee, or agent It can't collect the data. It can't be handed it. "The Borough and its departments are prohibited from accessing, querying, uploading data to, or receiving data from any ALPR operator, network, database, or private surveillance network." "The borough does not have police powers." That is the borough's own sentence, on its own site. Some of its cities do have them. The state troopers patrol here. Five agencies police this boundary. ABOUT 117,400 PEOPLE LIVE INSIDE THIS LINE, PER STATE LABOR ESTIMATES FOR 2025 The operator it names is the borough itself. An ALPR Operator, in the chapter's own words, is any Borough department, division, employee, or third-party contractor acting under contract with the Borough. Eight borough officials signed the routing block between August 19th and August 21st, weeks before it reached the floor. On September 15th, another assembly took up the same question. One body wrote the limit. The other kept drafting. Anchorage Assembly members voted unanimously to postpone their own police surveillance ordinance, AO 2026-108(S), to their regular meeting on October 20th, the Anchorage Daily News reported. The paper quoted one member asking for stronger language and stronger protections. A limit written before the power exists. Mat-Su bound its own departments, its own money and its own contracts, unanimously, for a machine it has no police powers to run. ## What we verified - The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly adopted Ordinance Serial No. 26-106 on September 15th, creating borough code chapter MSB 23.30. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The ordinance title states that it adopts MSB 23.30 to prohibit acquisition, installation and operation of automated license plate reader systems and associated mass surveillance technology. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The ordinance was sponsored by Assemblymember Bowles. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough legislative record](https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/matanuska/matters/34670/sponsors), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The ordinance header records the ordinance as introduced on September 1st with a public hearing set for September 15th and adoption on September 15th. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - Section 1 classifies the ordinance as general and permanent and makes it part of the Borough Code. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The new chapter is headed MSB 23.30 ALPR SYSTEMS PROHIBITED. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - MSB 23.30.010 defines an automated license plate reader as a system of one or more high-speed camera units that converts images of license plates and vehicle identifiers into computer-readable data. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - MSB 23.30.010 defines an ALPR Operator as any Borough department, division, employee, or third-party contractor acting under contract with the Borough. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - MSB 23.30.020(A) bars any Borough department, division, employee or agent from acquiring, leasing, borrowing, installing, maintaining or operating ALPR hardware, software or data-collection systems. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - MSB 23.30.020(B) bars Borough funds, personnel or resources from being allocated toward entering into, renewing or extending any contract, memorandum of understanding or partnership relating to ALPR data collection. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - MSB 23.30.030(A) prohibits the Borough and its departments from accessing, querying, uploading data to, or receiving data from any ALPR operator, network, database or private surveillance network. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - MSB 23.30.040(A) declares any contract or agreement in violation of the chapter void ab initio and unenforceable. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - Section 3 of the ordinance states that it takes effect upon adoption. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - A whereas clause states that the right to privacy is a fundamental protection recognized by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Alaska. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The ordinance finds that ALPR systems collect, store and share systemic location data, creating a permanent tracking record of everyday citizens without reasonable suspicion or a warrant. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The ordinance finds that the structural risks to civil liberties outweigh what it calls the purported public safety benefits of the technology. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The first whereas clause states that the intent and rationale of the ordinance are found in the accompanying Information Memorandum 26-181. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The ordinance records that it passed unanimously with seven assembly members named. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly is made up of seven members elected from districts for staggered four-year terms. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matsu.gov/assembly), primary document, 2026-09-23. - The ordinance names Edna DeVries as Borough Mayor on its signature line. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/39814d12-8e61-4d9e-b5b9-c54ae3406b30.pdf), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The Legistar legislative record lists the matter as file OR 26-106 with status Passed before the body Assembly Regular Meeting. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough legislative record](https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/matanuska/matters?$filter=MatterFile+eq+'OR+26-106'), primary document, 2026-09-19. - The legislative record gives the matter an agenda date and a passed date of September 15th. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough legislative record](https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/matanuska/matters?$filter=MatterFile+eq+'OR+26-106'), primary document, 2026-09-19. - The legislative history records that on September 1st Assemblymember Bernier moved to introduce the legislation and set the public hearing for September 15th, and the motion passed. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough legislative record](https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/matanuska/matters/34670/histories), primary document, 2026-09-01. - The legislative history's action text records that on September 15th Assemblymember Bowles moved to adopt Ordinance Serial No. 26-106 and the motion passed. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough legislative record](https://webapi.legistar.com/v1/matanuska/matters/34670/histories), primary document, 2026-09-15. - Information Memorandum 26-181 records the assembly action as adopted without objection on September 15th. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/5d1a0895-8ab8-479b-a21f-e1bab793dcc4.PDF), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The information memorandum summary states the ordinance will prohibit ALPR systems on borough owned land and properties and prohibit any Borough funds from being spent on such systems. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/5d1a0895-8ab8-479b-a21f-e1bab793dcc4.PDF), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The information memorandum states the ordinance will prohibit employees from spending any time whatsoever entering into, renewing or extending any contract, memorandum of understanding or partnership relating to ALPR data collection. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/5d1a0895-8ab8-479b-a21f-e1bab793dcc4.PDF), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The information memorandum routing block carries administrative signature dates running from August 19th to August 21st, all before the ordinance reached the assembly floor. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/5d1a0895-8ab8-479b-a21f-e1bab793dcc4.PDF), primary document, 2026-08-21. - Eight borough officials signed the information memorandum routing block before the ordinance reached the assembly floor. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matanuska.legistar1.com/matanuska/attachments/5d1a0895-8ab8-479b-a21f-e1bab793dcc4.PDF), primary document, 2026-08-21. - The borough's own law enforcement page states that the borough does not have police powers. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matsu.gov/police), primary document, 2026-09-23. - The borough's law enforcement page lists five agencies that police the borough, none of which is a borough department. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matsu.gov/police), primary document, 2026-09-23. - The public hearing on the ordinance was noticed for Tuesday September 15th at 6 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers at 350 East Dahlia Avenue in Palmer. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matsu.gov/public-notices/notice-of-public-hearing-09-15-26-meeting-date), primary document, 2026-09-15. - The ALPR ordinance was one of five ordinances noticed for public hearing at the September 15th meeting, the other four being appropriation and project matters. [Matanuska-Susitna Borough](https://matsu.gov/public-notices/notice-of-public-hearing-09-15-26-meeting-date), primary document, 2026-09-15. - State labor estimates for 2025 put the Matanuska-Susitna Borough population at about 117,400. [Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis](https://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/pop/index.cfm), primary document, 2025-07-01. - The Anchorage Assembly did not vote on its police surveillance ordinance, AO 2026-108(S), at its September 15th meeting. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/09/16/stuck-on-the-details-anchorage-assembly-delays-new-police-surveillance-regulations/), report, 2026-09-16. - Anchorage Assembly members voted unanimously to postpone the surveillance ordinance to their regular meeting on October 20th. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/09/16/stuck-on-the-details-anchorage-assembly-delays-new-police-surveillance-regulations/), report, 2026-09-16. - Anchorage Assembly member Daniel Volland said stronger language and stronger protections are needed in the surveillance ordinance. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/09/16/stuck-on-the-details-anchorage-assembly-delays-new-police-surveillance-regulations/), report, 2026-09-16. - Anchorage Assembly member Yarrow Silvers cautioned against passing a rushed version of an ordinance members do not fully understand. [Anchorage Daily News](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/09/16/stuck-on-the-details-anchorage-assembly-delays-new-police-surveillance-regulations/), report, 2026-09-16. Slides and the deck PDF are linked from the canonical page.