Assembly Bill 300 establishes a grant program administered by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to support law enforcement agencies in purchasing automated registration plate reader systems. The bill defines an automated registration plate reader system as high-speed cameras that convert images of vehicle registration plates into computer-readable data. To qualify for a grant, law enforcement agencies must submit an application that includes a proposed plan for how the grant funds will be spent. Importantly, the bill mandates that at least 50 percent of the grant funds be allocated to agencies located in rural areas, defined as those with populations under 20,000 and situated at least 15 miles from larger municipalities.

The bill creates a new section, 165.985, in the statutes, detailing the parameters of the grant program, including definitions for "law enforcement agency" and "rural area." It specifies that the program aims to enhance public safety and law enforcement capabilities through the use of automated registration plate reader systems. The DOJ is tasked with reviewing applications and determining grant awards based on the proposed expenditure plans submitted by the agencies.