Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Privacy Alpr topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House transportation committee advances bill limiting retention and sale of license‑plate reader data, bans certain trackers
Summary
The Kentucky House Transportation Committee reported House Bill 20 with a favorable recommendation after debate on limits for automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) data retention, restrictions on selling ALPR data outside law enforcement, and bans on nonconsensual personal tracking devices.
At a meeting of the Kentucky House Transportation Committee, State Representative John Hodgson introduced House Bill 20 to restrict nonconsensual tracking of people and vehicles and to limit retention and dissemination of automated license‑plate reader (ALPR) data.
Hodgson told the committee that a version of the measure had passed the House previously but did not clear the other chamber. “This concerns, license plate readers and trackers that are used to track the location of American citizens,” he said, and summarized the bill’s core protections.
The bill would require owners of ALPR systems—Hodgson said those owners are “usually a law enforcement agency”—to delete collected data after 60 days and would bar selling the information outside of the law‑enforcement community. The sponsor also described language intended to prohibit nonconsensual tracking by small devices placed on people or vehicles, including “micro trackers” and “subcutaneous trackers.” Hodgson argued evidence gathered in violation of the bill should be excluded from prosecutions, saying it would be treated as coming “through the poisonous tree.”
Committee members asked how the bill would interact with other proposals and how it would be enforced. Representative Hebron asked whether the bill would affect a separate highway‑safety camera bill sponsored by Chairman Blanton; Hodgson said he had adjusted the bill in conversations so the chairman could support it. Representative Donworth asked who would ensure data deletion; Hodgson said the ALPR owner would be responsible. Representative Lehman noted the bill includes a civil right of action for aggrieved people but does not add criminal penalties; he said adding criminal sanctions could be considered separately.
Chairman Blanton reported the bill “with favorable expression” to the full House. The committee did not record a separate committee amendment or change to criminal code language during the hearing.
Votes at a glance: the committee roll call reported the measure with a favorable recommendation and was sent to the floor with the committee’s endorsement.
The committee will next consider the bill on the House floor, where any pending amendments or additional language can be offered.
