ROCHESTER, NY — The Monroe County Legislature today passed a resolution requiring the Monroe County Sheriff to disclose purchases of surveillance technology exceeding $100,000. The measure passed 21–8.
The resolution, led by Legislator Rachel Barnhart (District 17) and co-sponsored by Legislature President Yversha Román and other colleagues, requires the Sheriff to file quarterly reports with the Clerk of the Legislature identifying any surveillance technology purchases above the threshold. Reports must include a description of the technology and its intended use, the cost and source of funds, and the name of the vendor.
The Legislature does not always vote on surveillance technology purchases, meaning significant acquisitions — equipment and software capable of tracking, monitoring, and collecting data on residents — can be made with no public disclosure or legislative review. The resolution closes that gap.
The measure defines surveillance technology broadly to include equipment, software, or systems capable of collecting, retaining, processing, or sharing audio, video, location, thermal, biometric, or similar information. The Sheriff retains the ability to withhold information that would jeopardize public safety or law enforcement operations.
“The Legislature doesn’t always vote on surveillance technology purchases — which means millions of dollars in tools capable of monitoring and tracking residents can be deployed with no public disclosure whatsoever. This resolution fixes that. It doesn’t restrict what the Sheriff can buy. It simply ensures the Legislature and the public know what’s being purchased and why.”
Barnhart credited collaboration with Legislature President Román in advancing the measure.