Kentucky Senate Democrats

09/04/2026

FLOCK CAMERAS AND DATA CENTERS DISCUSSED BY LAWMAKERS IN FRANKFORT

Two issues that have been front and center across the country were before Kentucky lawmakers in Frankfort this week. Interim Joint Committees examined the growing use of automated license-plate readers (FLOCK Cameras) and the significant energy and infrastructure demands associated with data centers.

Based on testimony, did you know that…

📷 Flock cameras do more than read license plates. According to committee testimony, some systems can make details such as a vehicle’s color, roof rack, bumper stickers, and visible damage searchable.

🔐 Searches require a stated reason and are preserved in an audit trail. Supporters say the technology helps solve crimes and locate missing people, while civil-liberties advocates warn that large, connected camera networks could track a person’s movements over time.

⚖️ Kentucky’s House Bill 58, passed during the 2026 session, establishes permitted uses, agency policies, audits, criminal penalties for misuse, and a 90-day limit on retaining images from Flock cameras. Some witnesses urged lawmakers to consider additional protections, including warrants for most searches and shorter retention periods.

⚡ A data center operating a 1,000-GPU cluster can experience an estimated 67-megawatt power swing in roughly one second, which creates new challenges for Kentucky’s electric grid.

💧 During an outage, data centers may use tanks of chilled water to protect equipment during the 10 to 45 seconds it takes backup power to activate.

Senate Democrats inquired about how much water these cooling systems require. This is an important question as Kentucky considers the effects of data-center development on our energy and natural resources.

Our caucus will continue asking questions and working to ensure new technologies serve Kentuckians while protecting their privacy, resources, and communities.

Watch the committee testimony on Flock Cameras:
https://www.youtube.com/live/P9qKeYJET8Y?si=r-84UYzEhPb_PqJA&t=3547

Watch the committee testimony on Data Centers:
https://www.youtube.com/live/yZbhLUqHYSw?si=c8YQcP__IAfmuCxH&t=3831

09/03/2026

It'll be another busy day in Frankfort! For more information on today's meetings, visit https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar You can watch the meetings live online at ket.org/legislature

09/02/2026

Another busy day of interim meetings in Frankfort! Tune in at the link below to watch live coverage.

Today's meetings will be livestreamed on www.youtube.com/ For more information, visit https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar

09/01/2026

For more than 30 years, the former Rhodia chemical plant has sat vacant in Louisville’s Algonquin neighborhood, holding back investment and serving as a daily reminder of environmental injustice.

Keturah Herron, KY State Senator, listened to residents and took action.

Senate Bill 222, sponsored by Herron, was passed unanimously by the General Assembly during the 2026 session, creating a fair process to move remediated brownfield properties toward redevelopment when state environmental experts determine that outdated land-use restrictions are no longer necessary. The law still provides notice, an opportunity to object, and judicial review while preventing communities from being trapped in years of unnecessary delay.

Now, SB 222 is helping remove a major barrier to plans for affordable housing, commercial space, and outdoor areas in West Louisville.

This is what responsive, community-driven leadership looks like.

Read more about why Sen. Herron championed this legislation at the link in the comments ⬇

09/01/2026

September’s Interim Joint Committee meetings begin this week, kicking off today at 9:30am with the Interim Joint Committee on Banking and Insurance.

Stay informed and follow the work shaping Kentucky’s future.

📅 Full legislative calendar:
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar

▶️ Watch today’s meetings live on the LRC YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com//streams

For more information on today's meetings, visit https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar You can watch the meetings live on ket.org/legislature

08/31/2026

State Sen. Reggie Thomas reflected on how Lexington responded in the aftermath of the disaster.

"Lexington is a community that really came together and helped the families who suffered this tragic loss in their time of need," Thomas said.

More ⬇️⬇️

Families of victims and community leaders gathered in Lexington Thursday to mark 20 years since Comair Flight 5191 crashed after taking off from Bluegrass Airport, claiming 49 lives.

08/27/2026

A federal law passed in July 2025 is changing the rules about who can get Medicaid and what some members must do to keep it. You may be affected if you are ages 19 to 64, qualify for Medicaid based on income, and are not exempt.

The Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services has created a website where members can learn more about these new rules. Visit the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange (KHBE) website to see these changes: https://buff.ly/uY3Jxnx

08/27/2026

It's Kentucky State Fair day! Anyone wanting to attend legislative committee meetings at the Kentucky State Fair today should contact the LRC Public Information Office at 502-564-8100 for instructions. The meetings will not be livestreamed. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar

08/26/2026

Kentuckians deserve to be heard as major Medicaid changes approach.

The Kentucky Senate Democrats and Kentucky House Democrats are launching Medicaid Reality Check: A Health Care Listening Tour, a four-city tour to hear directly from Kentuckians about the health coverage, care and services they depend on.

New rules. New paperwork. New requirements.

The changes could affect children, seniors, people with disabilities, working Kentuckians, caregivers, health care providers and communities across the commonwealth. Lawmakers want to hear firsthand what Medicaid means to you, what could be at risk if coverage or care is disrupted, and what Kentucky can do to protect access to health care.

Each stop will include a brief overview from a health policy expert, time for Kentuckians to share their stories, written story collection for those who may not be able to speak during the program, and a question-and-answer period with lawmakers, policy experts and advocates.

Tour Stops

Lexington
Thursday, Sept. 10
6-7:30 p.m.
Consolidated Baptist Church
1625 Russell Cave Road

Prestonsburg
Thursday, Sept. 17
6-7:30 p.m.
Gearheart Auditorium at BSCTC
1 Bert Combs Drive

Morehead
Tuesday, Sept. 22
6-7:30 p.m.
Fuzzy Duck Coffee Shop
159 E. Main St.

Louisville
Thursday, Oct. 1
6-7:30 p.m.
TBA

The events are free and open to everyone. Kentuckians who rely on Medicaid, family members, caregivers, health care providers and others whose lives or communities are affected are encouraged to attend.

Learn more and get involved: https://sites.google.com/view/medicaid-reality-check/home

08/26/2026

Sen. Reggie Thomas recently joined Gov. Andy Beshear, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, local officials, and the Holler Cannabis Company team to celebrate the opening of Lexington’s first medical cannabis cultivation and processing facility.

This milestone was years in the making. Sen. Thomas supported medical cannabis legislation for more than a decade and co-sponsored the bipartisan SB 47 that finally became law in 2023.

Patients, families, veterans and advocates never stopped sharing their stories and fighting for compassionate care.

This opening is another step toward greater access to safe, tested, Kentucky-grown products for patients, while creating jobs and investing in our Commonwealth. It shows what is possible when we put Kentuckians first.