KentuckyKentucky bars public resources from campaigns over ballot questions
Kentucky's law bans using taxpayer money, public equipment, or publicly funded online accounts to campaign for or against questions voters decide on ballots.
What it does
Taxpayer money and public resources cannot support either side of a ballot question. Employees can campaign on personal time with nongovernment resources if other laws allow it; educational television is exempt when both sides get equal opportunity.
Violating the public-resource campaign ban carries a $500 fine for the first offense and $1,000 for the second. Each later offense is a crime and carries a $1,000 fine.
School tax petitions need 5,000 eligible local voter signatures or 10% of the last presidential vote count, whichever is lower. Electronic signatures count only for covered school and taxing districts in counties with combined city and county government, when organizers pay all related costs.
Argument forKeeping taxpayer-funded websites and equipment out of ballot campaigns could prevent public resources from giving one side an advantage.
Argument againstCriminal penalties for repeated violations could make public employees hesitant to share ballot information that might be viewed as campaigning.
More detail
The law prohibits using taxpayer money and public resources to campaign for or against ballot questions. Covered resources include publicly funded equipment, buildings, and online accounts, plus state and school district employees working within their jobs. Public employees can campaign on personal time using nongovernment resources if other laws allow it. Educational television operating under Kentucky's educational television law is exempt when both sides receive equal opportunity. The association exception covers ballot initiatives directly affecting members and requires that no taxpayer-funded money or resources be spent.
People who violate the public-resource campaign ban face fines and a criminal penalty for repeated offenses. These penalties apply to anyone who violates the ballot campaign ban in Sections 1 or 2. The first offense carries a $500 fine. The second offense carries a $1,000 fine. Each later offense is a Class A misdemeanor, a criminal offense, and carries a $1,000 fine.
Voters can petition for an election on the part of a local property tax rate that state law allows them to challenge. Signers must be registered, qualified voters living in the area affected by the tax. A sufficient petition puts the challenged tax rate before voters. School tax petitions need signatures from at least 5,000 eligible local voters or 10% of votes cast in the last presidential election, whichever is lower. Other covered tax petitions need eligible local voter signatures equal to at least 10% of votes cast in the last presidential election. Electronic signatures count only for school boards or other taxing districts primarily located in counties with urban-county or consolidated local government, forms of combined city and county government. Organizers must pay all electronic-signature costs. Signatures must meet Kentucky's electronic transaction rules and the petition requirements. Petitions must be filed within 45 days of the tax rate's passage, or 50 days for covered school boards and other taxing districts primarily located in counties with combined city and county government.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 14delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 155)Latest
- Vote recorded Veto Override. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded OVERRIDE VETO FINAL PASSAGE SB 59. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 14enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseTo Governor
- Apr 14enrolled, signed by President of the SenateMajor
- Apr 14received in Senate
- Apr 14passed 80-19Major
- Apr 14veto overriddenMajor
- Apr 14posted for consideration of Governor's veto
- Apr 14taken from Rules (H)
- Apr 14to Rules (H)Minor
- Apr 14received in House
- Apr 14passed 31-7Major
- Apr 14veto overriddenMajor
- Apr 14posted for passage for consideration of Governor's veto
- Apr 14to Rules (S)Minor
- Apr 14received in Senate
- Apr 7VetoedMajor
- Mar 26delivered to Governor
- Vote recorded FINAL PASSAGE OF SB 59 w/ HCS 1, HFA 2. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 26enrolled, signed by Speaker of the HouseMajor
- Mar 26enrolled, signed by President of the SenateMajor
- Mar 26passed 29-8Major
- Mar 26Senate concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)
- Mar 26posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)
- Mar 26taken from Rules
- Mar 26to Rules (S)Minor
- Mar 26received in Senate
- Mar 253rd reading, passed 75-16 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)Passed House
- Vote recorded Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 19posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 20 2026
- Mar 17floor amendment (2) filed to Committee SubstituteMinor
- Mar 132nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Mar 12floor amendment (1) filed to Committee SubstituteMinor
- Mar 12reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)Minor
- Mar 10to State Government (H)Minor
- Mar 6to Committee on Committees (H)Minor
- Mar 6received in House
- Mar 53rd reading, passed 28-9 with Committee Substitute (1)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded PASS SB 59 w/ SCS 1. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 05 2026
- Feb 262nd reading, to RulesMinor
- Feb 25reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)Minor
- Feb 20to Appropriations & Revenue (S)Minor
- Jan 9to Committee on Committees (S)Minor
- Jan 9introduced in SenateIntroduced
- Apr 14delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 155)Latest
Government & EthicsCivil Rights & VotingTaxes & Budget