A preliminary injunction granted blocking the federal government from demanding a state-owned database be turned over
Sep 19, 2026, 4:57 AM CT
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A U.S. District Court judge has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the federal government from demanding a state-owned database containing sensitive personal information for 17 million drivers, including nearly 300,000 commercial drivers in Wisconsin. The ruling also prevents the government from withholding more than $10 million in federal funding from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) for refusing to comply.
The lawsuit was brought in August by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) alongside a coalition against the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to the filing, federal agencies violated privacy laws by attempting to secretly construct a driver database without public notice or safeguards regarding Social Security numbers and other sensitive data.
Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul commended the court's decision, calling it a win for privacy against federal overreach and stating that the federal government should not bully organizations into handing over personal information. The preliminary injunction maintains protections first put in place by a temporary restraining order as litigation continues.
Todd Coppernoll oversees local news for WRCO and WRCE radio in Richland Center. Having served Richland Center as Mayor for three terms, Todd brings a unique perspective, and a familiar voice to the news. The focus is local, and so is the reporter.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at [email protected].