Missouri Gov. Kehoe issues executive order restricting license plate reader data

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) - Missouri’s governor is implementing new rules around automated license plate readers such as Flock Cameras.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order Wednesday establishing new rules for automated license plate readers, including Flock Safety cameras. The order requires most license plate and vehicle data to be permanently deleted within 30 days, prevents vendors from selling the data and prohibits the use of artificial intelligence facial-recognition technology with the systems.

Kehoe discussed the order in an exclusive interview with Gray Media’s Missouri Capitol Bureau.

“We felt like because some Missourians are worried about their constitutional rights and I am as well that we would at least get this executive order out there to establish the penalty piece and how long you keep the data to make sure Missouri is know we’re concerned about the constitutional rights and we’re putting the guard rails,” Kehoe said.

What the order does

Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel said in a statement that the company supports strong guardrails for license plate reader technology to protect privacy and ensure accountability while preserving its public safety uses.

“Missouri’s Executive Order is an important step toward establishing those guardrails while allowing law enforcement to continue using technology that helps keep communities safe,” Lewbel said.

The Executive Order directs the Department of Public Safety to establish statewide safeguards for state agencies and state-funded local law enforcement entities using the technology. Any misuse of the technology will trigger immediate disciplinary proceedings, criminal referral where appropriate, and a mandatory report to the Director of DPS for officer license revocation or discipline.

Unless the General Assembly establishes a permanent statutory framework, the executive order requires the following minimum standards:

• Requiring most license plate and vehicle data to be permanently deleted within 30 days
• Prohibiting vendors from selling, sharing or commercializing Missouri-generated data
• Limiting the use of the technology to legitimate criminal justice and lifesaving purposes
• Requiring accountability measures to prevent and penalize misuse
• Prohibiting the integration of artificial intelligence facial recognition technology with the systems

Law enforcement effects

Local agencies are encouraged to voluntarily commit to the practices, where possible under existing contracts and law, as stakeholders and lawmakers work toward a comprehensive statutory framework, according to the governor’s office.

Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Mark James said in a statement that the order sets up an accountable legal framework for law enforcement use of the technology while protecting residents’ privacy rights, and said his department looks forward to working with state and local agencies and the General Assembly to implement it.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol contracts for Flock cameras through the Department of Public Safety and uses them to track stolen cars. The two agencies were in discussions Wednesday about what compliance with the executive order looks like.

According to a MSHP spokesperson, the patrol operates six cameras and already had the data retention set to 30 days. Cpt. Eric Brown said the executive order did not require any immediate changes to the way MSHP operates.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol utilizes ALPR camera systems for criminal and missing person investigations. ALPR systems are monitored for alerts by the Patrol’s communication centers and utilized daily in an effort to make Missouri a safe place to live and visit,” Brown said.

Legislative reaction

Lawmakers were back at the Missouri Capitol Wednesday for the annual veto session. No work was done on vetoed bills, but Republican House Speaker Rep. Jon Patterson said discussions took place on how to regulate the cameras.

“There will be many pieces of legislation filed by many different lawmakers about this and they’ll go from banning them entirely to regulation,” Patterson said. “I think it’s very urgent because we’re hearing from our citizens while they want to make sure that we catch criminals and this is a tool. I think they’re very worried about us becoming a surveillance state.”

Democratic State Rep. Ashley Aune said Kehoe’s order lacks teeth. Lawmakers cannot introduce any new bills until January 2027 unless the governor calls a special legislative session. 

“It’s kind of frustrating honestly because we’re all right right now, he could’ve called a special session if this was something that was that important,” Aune said. “How we tackle this issue next year during our legislative session depends entirely on the legislators [Missourians] elect in November.”

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