Kentucky committee approves drone privacy and data cleanup bills

The House Standing Committee on Small Business and Information Technology convened on February 19, 2025, to discuss key legislative proposals aimed at enhancing consumer protections and data privacy in Kentucky. The meeting began with procedural reminders, including the importance of silencing cell phones and the process for public testimony.

The first item on the agenda was House Bill 19, presented by Representative John Hodgson. This bill addresses unauthorized drone surveillance, establishing protections for citizens against invasive monitoring by drones. Hodgson emphasized the current lack of regulations to prevent such surveillance by neighbors or malicious actors. A substitute version of the bill was introduced to simplify language regarding civil actions and to remove overly specific provisions that could lead to unintentional violations. The committee adopted the substitute unanimously, and the bill passed with favorable expression, moving forward to the House floor for further consideration.

Next, Representative Josh Branscomb introduced House Bill 473, a cleanup bill related to last year's bipartisan consumer data privacy legislation. Branscomb highlighted the significance of the previous bill, which has served as a model for other states. The current bill includes minor adjustments and technical language updates to align Kentucky's data privacy framework with that of other states, particularly in the medical technology sector. After a motion and second were made, the committee voted in favor of House Bill 473, which also passed with favorable expression and will proceed to the House floor.

In summary, the committee's discussions focused on enhancing privacy protections through drone regulation and refining existing data privacy laws. Both bills received strong support, reflecting a commitment to safeguarding consumer rights in Kentucky. The next steps will involve further deliberation on the House floor.