SB 262 — AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 256 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to the submission of constitutional amendments to voters.

Summary

Propose to amend Section 256 of the Constitution to permit constitutional amendments to be submitted to the voters by ballot question or summary that clearly describes the substance and effect of the amendment, rather than requiring the full text of the amendment to appear on the ballot; 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 submitting constitutional amendments by allowing questions or summaries instead of the full text on ballots.

• KRS 118.415

  the full text of the proposed amendment shall not be required to be printed on the ballot. → The full text of the proposed amendment shall not be required to be printed on the ballot.

  This change allows for constitutional amendments to be presented on ballots as questions or summaries rather than requiring the full text.

• KRS 118.415

  the Secretary of State shall cause the question calculated to inform the electorate of the substance of the amendment which is prepared by the General Assembly to be published at least one (1) time in a newspaper of general circulation published in this state, and shall also cause to be published at the same time and in the same manner 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 Secretary of State shall cause 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 be published at least one time in a newspaper of general circulation published in this state, and shall also cause to be published at the same time and in the same manner 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.

  This change ensures that the proposed amendment and its corresponding question are clearly published in a newspaper for voter awareness.

• KRS 118.415

  the Secretary of State, 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 substance of the amendment, as stated and certified by the General Assembly, to the county clerk of each county, and the county clerk shall have the substance of the amendment, as so certified, indicated on the ballots. → the Secretary of State, 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, and 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 specifies that the entirety of the question and proposed amendment must be certified and indicated on the ballots.

Action History

1. March 11, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (H)

2. March 11, 2026

   received in House

3. March 10, 2026

   3rd reading, passed 32-6

4. March 06, 2026

   posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 10 2026

5. March 05, 2026

   2nd reading, to Rules

6. March 04, 2026

   reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

7. March 02, 2026

   to State & Local Government (S)

8. February 26, 2026

   to Committee on Committees (S)

9. February 26, 2026

   introduced in Senate

Sponsors

• Robby Mills · Primary
• Robert Stivers · Primary

Votes

Subjects