Video & Transcript Research : 'ethical AI'
Page 1 of 254
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/12/2026 - House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Transcript Highlights:
- Martinez, my first thought is, use AI and copyright that.
- to succeed in an AI-driven future.
- Attorneys now use Adobe AI Assist to develop legal documents.
- , moral, and educational uses of AI.
- AI is here. Data centers are here. We need more energy.
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, disclosure requirements, data privacy, minor protection, online safety, HB2371, Arizona divorce, family law, dissolution of marriage, AI arbitration, AI-assisted arbitration, automated dispute resolution, online arbitration, binding determination, recommendation, superior court appeal, de novo review, marital dissolution, spousal consent, minor children
Summary:
The committee met in a special morning session and first heard HB 2371, a pilot proposal to allow consenting divorcing parties without minor children to use AI-assisted arbitration in simple divorce cases. Rep. Martinez described it as a voluntary, fairness-focused tool for people who cannot afford lawyers, with the judge retaining final authority. Members raised concerns about the bill’s binding-language, privacy, and the need for clearer guardrails on assets and support, but the sponsor said amendments were welcome. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2371 a do pass recommendation.
The committee then took up HB 2311, which requires conversational AI systems to notify minors they are interacting with AI, restrict sexual content, prohibit deceptive human impersonation, and require self-harm response protocols. Google testified in support, saying its Gemini product already uses similar safeguards and that the bill would set an industry-wide floor; a speaker also noted similar measures are being considered in several other states. After adopting a committee amendment clarifying customer-service AI and limiting developer liability, the committee voted 7-0 to recommend HB 2311 do pass as amended.
Next, the committee heard HB 2409, creating a voluntary statewide summer AI education program focused on digital hygiene, civic integrity, privacy, media literacy, critical thinking, and algorithmic bias. Supporters argued Arizona needs to prepare residents for AI-driven job disruption and help people use the technology to become more self-sufficient, while opponents objected to the program’s funding and potential unfunded mandate to the education department. The bill passed 4-3. HB 2410, which would treat communications with AI as privileged like communications with human professionals, also passed after testimony from the sponsor and a criminal defense advocate who argued the measure would protect sensitive legal and personal conversations; the vote was 6-0 with one member present.
The committee then approved HB 4005, requiring school districts and charter schools to provide instruction on ethical, moral, and educational uses of AI, by a 4-2-1 vote after some members said schools lacked resources and should not be mandated to add curriculum without funding. Finally, the committee considered HB 2456 and HB 2457, both related to small modular nuclear reactors and utility siting/streamlining for energy development tied to large power users. Supporters framed them as necessary for future energy demand, data centers, and economic growth, while opponents raised concerns about local zoning authority and environmental oversight. Both bills were amended and advanced on 4-3 votes, and the meeting adjourned after the final roll calls.
TX
Bills:
HB 12, HB 149, SB 229, SB 1361, SB 1749, SB 1897, SB 2113, SB 2566, SB 2677, SB 1652, SB 2327, SB 2344, SB 2696
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Government Modernization and Technology Apr 6th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Government Modernization and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Systems must disclose to minors that they are interacting with an AI, not a human.
- So the final version of House Bill 3544 we ended up with was dealing only with social AI companions,
- which is a very narrow scope of AI.
- This bill in particular is going to deal with a broader set of AI things that you'd be used to, like
- self-harm, and to also again notifying minors that this is not a human you're interacting with, this is an AI
Bills:
SB1521
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot, conversational AI, companion AI, AI companion, virtual companion, chatbot regulation, minor safety, child online safety, parental controls, content moderation, self-harm, suicidal ideation, crisis intervention, mental health claims, romantic AI, emotional dependence, app store
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Technology and Telecommunications REVISED Feb 19th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Technology and Telecommunications
Transcript Highlights:
- In 2022, AI couldn't do basic arithmetic reliably.
- Some of the best engineers in the world said that they had handed over most of their coding work to AI
- AI could do it. Then it went up to an hour. And now we're in the period of days.
- So we're specifically referencing AI companions that attempt to simulate or replicate human emotion.
- And I believe it was Character AI, but regardless of which one it was, she and her team created some
Keywords:
security breach, data breach, cybersecurity, breach notification, privacy, consumer protection, class action, civil liability, Attorney General, district attorney, financial institution, banking regulator, data security, reasonable safeguards, breach notice, Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, artificial intelligence, AI, generative AI, chatbot
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Artificial Intelligence Task Force (9-10-24)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8DT1ckEVrg, 2026-06-21T07:17:08+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start: 00:00:17
Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:41
Approval of Minutes: 00:01:13
Use of AI in the Healthcare System: 00:01:38
Cody Bumgardner, Director, Center for Applied AI
Use of AI by Elevance Health DBA Anthem, Inc.: 00:37:30
Hope McLaughlin, Senior Director of Government Relations, Elevance Health
Anthony Rodriguez, Director, AI Strategy & Planning, Elevance Health
Use of AI by the Cabinet for Health & Family Services: 01:10:06
Jennifer Harp, Executive Director, Office of Application Technology Services, Cabinet for Health & Family Services
Ruth Day, Chief Information Officer, Commonwealth Office of Technology: 01:01:41
Adjournment: 01:28:23, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
AI Task Force - Room 216, 14 July, 2026; 8:00 AM
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
AI Task Force - Room 216, 13 July, 2026; 1:00 PM
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Commerce Committee Meeting - 2026-04-07
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And so this would be kind of the same thing as a certification program for AI.
- determine what AI products are safe, determine what AI products are safe, secure<01:33:36.000>
and - demonstrate independence from the AI demonstrate independence from the AI industry<01:35:17.880>
- <01:35:25.720>
companies ties to the AI companies ties to the AI companies and<01:35:27.240 - the safety of their AI system. the safety of their AI system.
Keywords:
data broker, data brokerage, consumer privacy, personal data, data privacy, Minnesota attorney general, registration, public registry, civil penalties, enforcement, special revenue fund, privacy rights, data sales, data collection, consumer protection, chapter 325M, controller, processor, data broker registry, transparency
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides for ethics training for local officials to include known influence efforts and how to identify
- with the Florida Elections Commission jurisdiction, and that the new course content requirements for ethics
- 13 creates a new government technology modernization council to oversee state practices related to AI
- This is important to prevent the proliferation of Chinese AI such as DeepSeek, which was built, unsurprisingly
- Carrie Stillman, the executive director of the Commission on Ethics, and she is accompanied by Steve
Keywords:
financial disclosure, statement of financial interests, ethics, late filing, late-filed disclosure, automatic fine, waiver, Florida Commission on Ethics, public officials, state officers, local officers, state employees, ethics enforcement, government transparency, sunshine law, reporting persons, penalty reduction, first-time offender, election ethics, general revenue fund
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Garcia. The bill would expand state restrictions on foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including creating a state registration framework for foreign agents, banning gifts to public officials from covered foreign entities, requiring ethics training on foreign influence, tightening procurement limits for information technology and critical infrastructure, restricting sister-city/sister-state encouragement, revising linkage institute rules and tuition provisions, and criminalizing certain conduct tied to foreign governments or unauthorized enforcement of foreign law. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect election technology, software development, federal foreign-agent registration, educational exchanges, and the treatment of organizations such as CARE; the sponsor said the bill focused on ownership/control and foreign countries of concern, not specific components or general participation in events. An amendment by Senator Grall was adopted to clarify definitions, align penalties with willful violations, and specify that new ethics training content is additive. The committee then heard supportive testimony from Kelly Curry of State Armor and Rob Pierce of American Global Strategies, both of whom argued the bill would help Florida counter foreign influence, protect data and infrastructure, and improve transparency. CS for SB 1178 was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure under specified conditions, including that the filer submitted the disclosure before the maximum fine accrued and had not previously received such a waiver. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified in support, saying the bill preserves transparency and compliance goals while making the fine and appeals process more workable. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote.
Finally, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments in tabs 3 through 26. No separate votes were requested, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointees was recommended favorably to the full Senate by roll call vote. The meeting then concluded with no further business.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 26th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- AI versus traditional methods.
- The early researchers of AI actually defined AI as agents that perceive their environment and take actions
- Another prime example is Austin-based US Ledge AI.
- So when it comes to AI, the priority should be responsible governance of AI intelligence, including the
- Texas will lead on AI, ensuring that we're the number one place for innovation to occur in both AI and
Bills:
HB149, HB252, HB643, HB1442, HB1500, HB1672, HB1851, HB1893, HB2028, HB2768, HB2818, HB149, HB252
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, employment compensation, state agencies, salary payments, general appropriations, government efficiency, public works, contractors, payment bonds, government contracts, construction law, transparency, open meetings, government accountability, public access
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- issue a mandatory statement to the parties stating that the court is not required to understand the ethical
Keywords:
reentry programs, criminal justice, funding, grants, recidivism, attorney general, jury duty, election worker, Arizona Revised Statutes, temporary appointment, civic duty, family court, professional personnel, parenting time, legal decision-making, evidentiary hearings, child custody, ethical standards, capital punishment, death penalty
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1655, which would have allowed qualified jurors to serve as temporary election workers instead of jury service if summoned 90 to 120 days before an election. The Arizona Association of Counties opposed the bill, saying the timing would create major planning and tracking problems for county jury commissioners and courts, and noting that jury service can already be excused in some circumstances. Members also raised concerns that jury duty and poll work are fundamentally different responsibilities. The motion for a due pass recommendation failed, 4-5, and the bill did not advance.
The committee then heard SB 1751 and the related SCR 1049, both dealing with Arizona execution methods. The bills would expand the available methods of execution to include firing squad and lethal gas, alongside lethal injection, with the SCR going to voters. Senator Payne argued the change was needed because Arizona has had problems with past execution methods and that the inmate would choose among the options. Opponents, including a death penalty attorney and a corrections chaplain, argued the methods raise constitutional, operational, staffing, and trauma concerns, and that Arizona should not revive methods with a history of botched or prolonged executions. SB 1751 received a due pass recommendation, 6-2 with one absent and one present, and SCR 1049 also received a due pass recommendation, 6-2 with one absent and one present.
The committee next considered SB 1317 as a strike-everything amendment appropriating $20 million in opioid settlement/remediation funds for county coordinated reentry planning services and a statewide database. Supporters from the Arizona Sheriffs Association and county sheriffs said the program has shown strong recidivism reductions, helps people transition from county jails back into the community, and should expand to more counties. Members asked about data, funding timing, and whether all counties should participate; supporters said the amount would likely be negotiated in the budget process and that the database funding was needed to track outcomes. The strike-everything amendment was adopted, and SB 1317 as amended passed 9-0 with one absent.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1656, which would change how courts appoint professional personnel in family court cases and set guidelines for those appointees. Court representatives submitted written concerns, saying the bill would duplicate existing practice, require unnecessary and costly depositions of experts before appointment, mandate recordings of all interactions, and extend the statute of limitations for lawsuits. With no sponsor present and no outside speakers, members expressed concern that the bill was unnecessary and potentially costly. SB 1656 failed to receive a due pass recommendation, with three nays, six votes not in favor, and one absent.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 149 creates the AI Sandbox program, allowing companies to deploy and test AI systems in a controlled
- HB 149 creates the AI Sandbox program, allowing companies to deploy and test AI systems in a controlled
- The bill establishes the AI Council to guide responsible AI governance in Texas, and the AI Council is
- Additionally, considering the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and the proliferation of AI-related bills
- , considering the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and the proliferation of AI-related bills introduced
Bills:
HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending.
The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending.
The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 35 Apr 6th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Bills:
HR1037, HR1043, SB1491, SB1451, SB1286, SB1581, SB1521, SB201, SB1290, SB169, SB1377, SB1991, SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB722, SB3
Keywords:
National Poetry Month, poetry, education, cultural celebration, arts and humanities, child abuse, prevention, community support, family safety, child welfare, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, voter registration, election integrity, Secretary of State, cancellation of registration, gender neutrality
HI
Keywords:
foreign influence, campaign finance, contributions, state elections, transparency, election integrity, criminal offense, natural resources, tree protection, state property, environment, land use, boundary amendment, administrative fines, Land Use Commission, infrastructure compliance, highway safety, driver's license, administrative revocation, alcohol-related offenses
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and considered several Senate bills, generally following recommendations to pass measures with or without amendments. SB 2981 would prohibit minimum off-street parking requirements for new development in urban districts and was adopted unamended, with Senator Awa voting no. SB 2982, which bars foreign entities and foreign-influence business entities from making election-related contributions or expenditures, was adopted with an amendment adopting Attorney General language for required advertisement statements.
The committee also advanced SB 2983, creating a misdemeanor offense for criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property; one member opposed it, suggesting a replanting requirement would be a better environmental remedy, but the bill was still adopted unamended. SB 2986, concerning Land Use Commission authority to amend or revise district boundary amendment decisions when conditions are not met, passed with an amendment addressing a defective effective date. SB 2991, on driver’s license revocations for certain alcohol-related offenses and re-examination requirements, passed with amendments clarifying revocation orders and re-examination procedures.
Members then approved SB 3001, which regulates conversational artificial intelligence services by requiring disclosures and protocols to prevent suicidal ideation, with amendments incorporating AG and OCP recommendations, including a personal data definition and broader data minimization language. SB 3010, allowing officials and in some cases private citizens to enter unattended vehicles to protect endangered pet animals, passed with amendments. The committee also adopted SB 3014 on higher fines for taking or harassing protected turtles, SB 3032 clarifying beach and marine deposit prohibitions, and SB 3033 allowing petitions to review beach structure integrity despite a bad effective date; Senator Awa again voted no on SB 3033. The meeting adjourned after the committee noted a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology (7-31-23)
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- just urging them to ensure that AI is being taught because we know that we are now with AI intelligence
- We also have developed our AI framework. And we've We also have developed our AI framework.
- So we've got AI pilots in schools looking at how teachers can use AI to improve outcomes for students
- when it comes to AI, there's still that question of where AI fits appropriately into content.
- So while AI isn't math, there are ways to appropriately use AI in math.
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, AI, BESE, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, content standards, K-12 education, public schools, curriculum, digital literacy, computer science, STEM, technology education, student privacy, ethical AI, workforce development, future-ready workforce, instructional resources, education policy, school standards, Louisiana education
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part II) May 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 149 creates the AI sandbox program, allowing companies to deploy and test AI systems in a controlled
- The bill establishes guidelines to ensure responsible AI governance in Texas, and the AI Council is tasked
- AI systems and point the finger, casting the blame elsewhere.
- In closing, the AI development in Texas is currently the Wild West.
- Additionally, considering the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and the proliferation of AI, AI-related
Bills:
HB12, HB149, HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696
Keywords:
election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Business and Commerce (Part I) May 1st, 2025
Business & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- The only breeders willing to supply to pet stores are those who ignore their own ethical codes.
- We are an ethical pet store dedicated to ethical sourcing, consumer education, and fighting the stigma
- regulation, but because this bill fails to address the real issues in the pet industry while Harming ethical
- that Texas will lose millions in tax revenue, and families will lose access to... ...transparent, ethical
Bills:
HB12, HB149, SB229, SB1361, SB1749, SB1897, SB2113, SB2566, SB2677, SB1652, SB2327, SB2344, SB2696, HB12, HB149
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance, automobile sales, finance, retail seller, motor vehicle purchase, motor vehicle sales, pricing restrictions, third-party financing, education, funding, student assessment, accountability, standards, motor vehicle, financing
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Education (9-16-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- skills that AI is always going to lack, like the ability to assess the ethics of AI systems and bias.
- to assess the ethics of AI systems and to assess the ethics of AI systems and bias.<00:29:02.720
- for AI.
- for AI.
- for AI.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call - 0:25
Approval of Minutes – 3-50
2025 RS SB 253 – 4:25
Computer Science and AI Literacy – 27:36
Fayette County School District Budget Update – 51:46
Adjournment – 2:09:46, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, including roll call, introductions, and approval of the previous meeting minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation on SB 253, focused on expanding support for teacher apprenticeship and teaching-and-learning pathways. Senator Hickman and staff from the Kentucky Department of Education and Nelson County Schools described how the program uses dual credit, work-based learning, and registered apprenticeship to help students earn an associate degree in high school and continue toward a teaching degree. They said the goal is to address the teacher shortage by creating a sustainable pipeline into the profession.
Witnesses emphasized that the main barrier is cost. Mary Taylor said Kentucky’s youth apprenticeship model has been successful in other fields and that education should be added as an in-demand sector, but an associate degree alone will not solve the teacher shortage because teachers still need a bachelor’s degree and certification. Laura Arnold of Nelson County Schools described the district’s Lead Nelson program, saying the district has invested more than $800,000 since 2021, currently has 37 students in the pathway and seven committed apprentices, and spends about $85,000 per apprentice from freshman year through certification. She said district staffing, planning, and university partnerships are also significant hurdles. Members asked about job guarantees, tenure, and retirement; Arnold said employment is performance-based and retirement issues are being considered.
Senator Hickman said the bill would use lottery funds to help cover tuition and dual credit costs so more districts can participate, noting that a prior version died because of a high fiscal note. Representative Payne and Representative Tipton praised the program but stressed the need for funding and noted inconsistencies between statute and budget language on Work Ready Kentucky and dual credit support. Representative Tipton also cautioned that lottery revenue may not keep pace with demand and said the General Assembly may need to make broader funding decisions. After the apprenticeship discussion, the chair moved the committee to the next agenda item on computer science and AI literacy, where Code.org began a presentation on the importance of computer science for all students.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Artificial Intelligence Task Force 2025 (8-14-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:25:22.400>
uh lot I've been going to several AI uh lot I've been going to several AI uh - <00:41:49.200>
So, <00:41:49.280>a and invented AI. So, so open AI. - So, a and invented AI. So, so open AI.
- and AI data centers.
- At the end of the day, the cost of AI is the cost of power. The cost of AI is the cost of power.
Keywords:
Meeting Start - 00:00
Roll Call – 00:15
Approval of Minutes of the July 15, 2025, Meeting 00:55
Helping Power Kentucky’s Growth – 01:25
Powering and Deploying AI – 41:00
Fueling America’s Intelligence – 56:12
Adjournment – 01:10:37, 958, all
Summary:
The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum, adopted prior meeting minutes, and then focused on energy policy and economic development as they relate to AI and data centers. John Bevington of LG&E and KU, introduced by Caroline Clark of LG&E/KU and PPL, described the utility’s Kentucky-only service territory, vertically integrated system, 1.3 million customers, and about 7.5 gigawatts of generating capacity. He said the company has supported 76 Kentucky projects in 2024 totaling about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, with a large share of statewide announcements occurring in its service area.
Bevington said LG&E and KU’s current project pipeline is unusually strong, totaling about 170 projects and 8.5 gigawatts of requested power, with data centers accounting for about two-thirds of that demand. He broke the pipeline into existing customer expansions, new-to-Kentucky projects, and 20 data center projects representing about 5.6 gigawatts of potential load. He highlighted a Louisville data center project by PO Development Company and Powerhouse Data Centers that has announced a 400-megawatt facility and may expand to 525 megawatts, estimating that such a project could represent about $4 billion in investment. He also explained that large data centers generally must locate near transmission lines and that utilities must conduct studies, order long-lead equipment, and secure reimbursement commitments before proceeding so other customers are not harmed.
Members asked about how Kentucky compares with other states, the size of data center projects, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects reflect current Kentucky interest, which he attributed in part to the state’s sales tax exemption for data centers, and noted that states like Ohio have had similar incentives for years. In response to questions from Senator Thomas, he confirmed that data centers can vary in size and said the state should have a regulatory environment that supports economic development, while emphasizing that the benefits would flow to the state, local communities, and schools rather than just the utility. He also cited national and regional data suggesting data centers generate indirect jobs and tax revenue, and said LG&E and KU are investing in transmission, reliability, solar, and gas generation projects, including proposed additional 645-megawatt natural gas units and other system upgrades, to meet expected demand.