SB 10 — AN ACT proposing to amend Section 77 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to limiting the Governor's ability to grant pardons and commute sentences.

Summary

Propose to amend Section 77 of the Constitution of Kentucky to prohibit the Governor's ability to grant pardons or commute sentences beginning 60 days prior to a gubernatorial election and ending at that gubernatorial inauguration; amend Section 240 of the Constitution of Kentucky to conform; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

Bill Text

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the process for publishing and certifying proposed constitutional amendments in Kentucky, specifically regarding an amendment limiting the Governor's pardon power.

• KRS 118.415

  the fact that the amendment will be submitted to the voters for their acceptance or rejection at the next regular election at which members of the General Assembly are to be voted for. → the fact that the amendment will be submitted to the voters for their acceptance or rejection at the next regular election at which members of the General Assembly are to be voted for. The publication required by this section and KRS 118.415 shall be made no later than the first Tuesday in August preceding the election at which the amendment is to be voted on.

  This change clarifies the publication requirement for constitutional amendments.

• KRS 118.415

  the county clerk shall have the substance of the amendment, as so certified, indicated on the ballots. → the county clerk shall have the entirety of the question and the amendment, as so certified, indicated on the ballots provided to the voters in paper or electronic form as applicable to the voting machines in use in each county or precinct.

  This change expands the requirement for how the amendment will be indicated on the ballots to include both paper and electronic forms.

• KRS 118.415

  not later than April 15 preceding the next regular election at which members of the General Assembly are to be chosen, shall certify the question to the Secretary of State to be placed on the ballots. → not later than the second Monday after the second Tuesday in August preceding the next regular election at which members of the General Assembly are to be chosen in a year in which there is not an election for President and Vice President of the United States, or not later than the Thursday after the first Tuesday in September preceding a regular election in a year in which there is an election for President and Vice President of the United States, shall certify the entirety of the question in Section 1 of this Act and the entirety of the proposed amendment to the Constitution of Kentucky contained in Section 2 of this Act to the county clerk of each county.

  This change modifies the deadline for certifying proposed amendments to align with election schedules.

Action History

1. April 01, 2026

   delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 12)

2. April 01, 2026

   enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

3. April 01, 2026

   enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

4. April 01, 2026

   passed 36-1

5. April 01, 2026

   Senate concurred in Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)

6. April 01, 2026

   posted for passage for concurrence in House Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)

7. April 01, 2026

   taken from Rules

8. April 01, 2026

   to Rules (S)

9. April 01, 2026

   received in Senate

10. April 01, 2026

    3rd reading, passed 82-12 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)

11. April 01, 2026

    floor amendment (1) adopted

12. April 01, 2026

    placed in the Orders of the Day

13. April 01, 2026

    taken from Rules

14. March 27, 2026

    2nd reading, to Rules

15. March 26, 2026

    floor amendments (1) and (2-title) filed

16. March 26, 2026

    reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

17. March 13, 2026

    to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)

18. January 21, 2026

    received in House

19. January 20, 2026

    3rd reading, passed 36-0-1

20. January 16, 2026

    posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, January 20, 2026

21. January 15, 2026

    2nd reading, to Rules

22. January 14, 2026

    reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

23. January 12, 2026

    to State & Local Government (S)

24. January 08, 2026

    to Committee on Committees (S)

25. January 08, 2026

    introduced in Senate

Sponsors

• Max Wise · Primary
• Mike Wilson · Primary
• Craig Richardson · Primary
• Steve Rawlings · Primary
• Matt Nunn · Primary
• Robby Mills · Primary
• Shelley Funke Frommeyer · Primary
• Greg Elkins · Primary
• Donald Douglas · Primary
• Matthew Deneen · Primary
• Danny Carroll · Primary
• Gary Boswell · Primary
• Christian McDaniel · Primary

Votes

Subjects