[DATE]

BY EMAIL AND CERTIFIED MAIL

The Honorable [NAME]
Texas [House of Representatives / Senate], District [___]
[Capitol Address]
Austin, Texas 78701

RE: Resolution of the Republican Party of [COUNTY] County opposing warrantless mass vehicle surveillance — request for your written position

Representative / Senator [NAME]:

On [DATE], the [County Executive Committee / County Convention] of the Republican Party of [COUNTY] County adopted the enclosed Resolution by a vote of [___] to [___].

The Resolution opposes the operation of warrantless mass vehicle surveillance networks in Texas and calls for legislation requiring: express legislative authorization before any such system may operate; a warrant issued by a Texas court before any query; a thirty-day mandatory purge; a prohibition on transferring Texas data out of state without a Texas court order; a recorded public vote before any local government may acquire such a system; and the decommissioning of deployments not authorized under those standards.

Sections 14 and 15 of the Resolution direct me to request your position in writing and to publish the response.

THE FOUR QUESTIONS

I ask that you respond to each, in writing, not later than [DATE — thirty days from transmittal]:

1. Will you author or joint-author legislation in the 90th Legislature embodying Sections 2 through 12 of the enclosed Resolution? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Undecided

2. Will you co-author or co-sponsor such legislation if filed by another member? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Undecided

3. Will you vote in favor of such legislation in committee and on the floor? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Undecided

4. Will you publicly oppose any measure that would authorize, fund, or expand mass vehicle surveillance in Texas? ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Undecided

Please add any explanation you wish. I will publish your answer in full and without editing. If your position is qualified, or if you believe some element of the Resolution is unworkable as drafted, I would rather publish that in your words than characterize it in mine.

WHAT WILL BE PUBLISHED

Your response will be provided to the County Executive Committee, to the Republican primary voters of [COUNTY] County, and to the public.

If no response is received by [DATE], that fact will be published as well. I mention this not as a threat but so that there is no misunderstanding about the process. I would much rather publish your answer than your silence.

WHY THIS COUNTY IS ASKING

Cameras were installed in [COUNTY] County that photograph and record the movements of our residents. [INSERT LOCAL FACT — e.g.: “The Commissioners Court authorized this on [DATE] under an agenda item that did not mention license plate readers, cameras, or the vendor’s name. No competitive bid was conducted. No resident was heard.”]

Our voters are not asking the Party to choose between public safety and liberty. They are asking a narrower question, and it is one I cannot answer for them: who authorized this, and under what law?

The Legislature has never enacted a statute authorizing a statewide vehicle surveillance network. Legislation to place constitutional limits on this technology was filed in the 89th Legislature and died in committee — at a time when our Party held the Governorship, the Lieutenant Governorship, the Speakership, and majorities in both chambers.

I recognize that you were not the only member in that chamber and I make no accusation about your individual record. I am asking about the 90th Legislature, not the 89th.

I am at your disposal if you would like to discuss the Resolution before responding, and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your staff.

Respectfully,

[NAME], County Chairman
Republican Party of [COUNTY] County, Texas
[Address] · [Email] · [Phone]

Enclosure: Resolution No. [___], certified as adopted [DATE]