Massie plans bill this week to curb use of “Flock” traffic cameras in Kentucky

Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie plans to introduce an “anti-Flock camera” bill this week, according to a report from WLKY published on September 1, 2026. The announcement adds to an ongoing national debate over automated license-plate and camera-based surveillance systems used by cities, counties, and law enforcement.

Massie’s proposal is described by WLKY as a measure aimed at restricting “Flock” camera use. While the bill’s full text was not published in the report, WLKY said the congressman intends to file the legislation in the coming days as part of his push to change how the technology is deployed and governed at the state and local level.

The WLKY report frames the effort as a public-policy response to the expansion of networked camera systems that can be connected to databases and used for law enforcement and investigative purposes. Automated camera systems have been adopted in many places to support traffic safety and investigations, but critics have argued that deployment can raise civil liberties and transparency concerns, particularly where privacy safeguards and clear limits are not established.

If Massie’s bill follows through as described, it would become part of the broader federal legislative process, subject to committee review and potential amendments before any final action. As of publication of the WLKY report, details such as enforcement mechanisms, compliance timelines, and which levels of government would be covered were not included in the story.

The report also leaves open how any measure would interact with existing Kentucky law and local procurement decisions, including whether it would directly regulate law enforcement practices or instead condition funding, mandates, or procurement requirements. Those specifics will be determined after the bill text is introduced and lawmakers begin negotiating changes in the committee stage.

In Kentucky, camera systems of this kind are typically adopted through a mix of local government and law enforcement decisions, often relying on contracts and operational policies set by agencies. For residents, the practical effect of any federal action would likely depend on how it is drafted, what it requires agencies to do (or prohibits), and whether it alters existing agreements.

Massie’s office is expected to release additional information as the bill is introduced later this week. WLKY’s reporting indicates that the filing itself is the next near-term milestone, and observers will likely focus on what the proposal would require for transparency, oversight, and data handling, as well as what timelines and penalties would apply to agencies that use the technology.