HB 534 — AN ACT relating to elections.

Has the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state in which it was issued;

Page 5 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA (b) An undamaged United States passport that is or was valid for ten (10) years for adults or five (5) years for children under sixteen (16) and does not contain a United States National endorsement;

(c) A Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth;

(d) A Certificate of Naturalization;

or (e) A Certificate of Citizenship.

(5) If an individual identified as a noncitizen on the roster of qualified voters presents documentation verifying his or her United States citizenship at his or her county clerk's office, the county clerk shall make a copy of the documentation presented and record the copy in the voter registration system.

The county clerk shall then immediately notify the State Board of Elections of the presented documentation and the board shall remove the mark from the voter's registration that indicates he or she was identified as a noncitizen on the roster of qualified voters.

(6) If an individual identified as a noncitizen on the roster of qualified voters appears at a voting location to vote, the election officer shall allow the voter to cast a provisional ballot only after the voter has attested under penalty of perjury that he or she is a United States citizen on a form provided by the State Board of Elections.

(7) An individual identified as a noncitizen on the roster of qualified voters shall be purged from the roster of qualified voters if the individual does not verify his or her United States citizenship before the day after the date of the second general election for federal office that occurs after the individual was identified as a noncitizen on the roster of qualified voters.

(8) The voter registration of all individuals who are identified as being a noncitizen through an agreement authorized by this section shall be forwarded by the State Board of Elections to the Unit of Election Investigations and Security within the Page 6 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA Office of the Attorney General.

If the citizenship of an individual identified as a noncitizen is later verified by the applicable federal agency or through the procedures in this section, the State Board of Elections shall notify the Unit of Election Investigations and Security within the Office of the Attorney General of that fact.

(b) To ensure that the State Board of Elections accurately removes names from the voter registration records it maintains, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall provide a copy of the lifetime Kentucky death records to the Page 5 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 State Board of Elections on or before July 1 of each year.

Page 7 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA (4) Upon receipt of notification from the Administrative Office of the Courts or the United States Department of Justice that a person has been convicted of a felony offense, including persons convicted of a felony offense whose case is currently on appeal, the State Board of Elections shall within five (5) days cause the removal of the name of that person from the voter registration records it maintains, except that no voter's name may be removed during the period of time the registration books are closed for any primary, general, or special election.

(6) (a) Following the purge of a name from the records of the State Board of Page 6 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 Elections:[,] 1.

If the protest is filed while the registration books are closed and the county board decides in favor of the protesting voter, the county board shall issue the voter an "Authorization to Vote" for the upcoming Page 8 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA election and the voter's record shall be restored when the registration books open following the election.

SECTIONSection 5.

A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 117 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

(1) As used in this section, "cast vote record" means the electronic record produced by a voting system that reflects the selections made on an individual ballot, in a format that does not contain any voter-identifying information.

(2) After final certification of an election, the county clerk may make available to the public, in electronic form through the use of a ballot verifier software platform, images of scanned ballots and the matching cast vote record, as long as it contains no voter-identifying information.

To allow for public viewing, counties may permit online access without requiring an open records request in accordance with KRS 61.870 to 61.884.

The use of a software platform for public viewing shall be permissive, not mandatory.

(3) If a county chooses to use a ballot verifier software platform, a county clerk may Page 7 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 use the software platform to perform automated audits on ballot images and cast vote records in addition to any audits required by law, for analytical purposes only.

However, to ensure anonymity and voter privacy, jurisdictions or contests with less than ten (10) votes cast shall not be displayed as a group.

Those images of ballots or cast vote records shall be displayed as part of a larger jurisdiction.

(4) This section shall not be construed to permit the release of:

(a) Voted paper ballots;

(b) Ballot images that contain identifying marks;

or (c) Any data that would reasonably risk revealing how any identifiable voter cast his or her vote.

(5) The State Board of Elections may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to establish uniform standards for formatting, publication, and redaction of images of ballots and cast vote records.

Section 6.

No(1) A[No] voting system or voting equipment shall be approved for useuse[ [afterafter January 1, 2024,2024,] ]byby the State Board of Elections, either upon initial examination or reexamination, andand[ nono] voting equipment or a voting system shall not be purchasedpurchased[ after theJuly effective date of this Act[July 14, 2022],2022,] unless the system and equipment has been certified under KRS 117.379 and is so constructed that it shall:

(1)(a)[(1)] Ensure secrecy to the voter in the act of voting so that no person can see or know for whom any other voter has voted or is voting, except for those voters requiring assistance under KRS 117.255;

(2)(b)[(2)] Permit votes to be cast for any candidate entitled to have his or her name printed upon the ballots at any primary, regular election, or special election, and for or against any public question entitled to be placed upon the ballots;

(3)(c)[(3)] Except at a primary, permit a voter to vote for all the candidates of one (1) party or for one (1) or more candidates of every party having candidates entitled to be voted Page 8 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 for, or for one (1) or more independent, political organization, or political group candidates;

(4)(d)[(4)] Permit a voter to vote for as many persons for an office as the voter is lawfully entitled to vote for, and no more;

(5)(e)[(5)] Prevent a voter from voting for more persons for any office than the voter is entitled to vote for, and from voting for the same person, or for or against the same question, more than once;

(6)(f)[(6)] Permit a voter to vote for or against any question the voter may have the right to vote on, but no other;

(7)(g)[(7)] Provide for a nonpartisan ballot;

(8)(h)[(8)] Be capable of being adjusted for use in a primary so that a voter may not Page 9 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA vote for any person except those seeking nomination as candidates of the voter's party, as candidates for a nonpartisan office, or as candidates for an office of the Court of Justice;

(9)(i)[(9)] Permit each voter to vote for all the candidates for presidential electors of any party by one (1) operation;

(10)(j)[(10)] Permit each voter to vote, in any regular or special election, for any person for whom the voter desires to vote whose name does not appear upon the ballot by providing a method of write-in voting;

(11)(k)[(11)] Be safe, efficient, and accurate in the conduct of elections, and correctly register and accurately count all votes cast for each person, and for or against each public question;

(12)(l) (a)1.[(12) (a)] Provide each voter an opportunity to verify votes recorded on the permanent paper ballot, either visually or using assistive voting technology, by producing a voter-verified paper audit trail;

(b)2.[(b)] Provide each voter an opportunity to change votes or correct any error before the voter's ballot is cast and counted;

and Page3.[(c)] 9 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 (c) Provide a voter who spoils his or her ballot another ballot as provided under this chapter;

(13)(m)[(13)] Use an individual, discrete, permanent, paper ballot cast by the voter for tabulating purposes;

(14)(n)[(14)] Preserve the paper ballot as an official record available for use in any audit or recount;

(15)(o)[(15)] Be suitably designed for the purpose used, constructed of a durable material, and safely transportable;

(16)(p)[(16)] Be capable of determining whether the voting equipment has been unlocked and operated or adjusted in any manner after once being locked;

(17)(q)[(17)] Have a public counter with a register which is visible from the outside Page 10 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA of the counter or device that will show at all times during an election how many persons have voted;

(18)(r)[(18)] Have a protective cumulative counter indicating the number of votes cast for each person, and the votes cast for or against each public question which cannot be seen, reset, or tampered with without unlocking a covering device by a key or other security apparatus that cannot unlock any other part of the equipment, and which prevents changes to the cumulative counter once the system has been put into operation on the day of any election;

(19)(s)[(19)] Provide for the tabulating of votes at the precinct as required under KRS 117.275;

(20)(t)[(20)] Provide locks or other security apparatus by which the operation of the voting equipment may be locked before the time for opening the polls and after the time for closing the polls;

(21)(u)[(21)] Permit a voter to readily learn the method of operating it, to expeditiously cast a vote for all candidates and on all questions of the voter's choice, and when operated properly, register and record correctly and accurately every vote cast;

(22)(v)[(22)] Bear a number or other unique designation that will distinguish it from any other Page 10 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 voting equipment or voting system;

(23)(w)[(23)] Produce a real-time audit log record for the voting system, and produce a paper record with a manual audit capacity which shall be available as an official record for any recount conducted related to any primary or election in which the system is used;

(24)(x)[(24)] Be accessible for individuals with impairments, including nonvisual accessibility for the blind or visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and independence, as for other voters;

(25)Page 11 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA (y)[(25)] Prohibit voting equipment that tabulates or aggregates votes used in official results from connecting to any network, including the internet, or communicating with any device external to the voting system;

(26)(z) Prohibit voting equipment that utilizes non-humannonhuman readable codes, including but not limited to barcodes, QR codes, or other encrypted markings, to represent or tabulate a voter's choices;

(27)(aa)[(26)] Meet or exceed the standards for a voting system established by the Election Assistance Commission, as amended from time to time, and those approved under KRS 117.379;

and (28)[(27)](ab)[(27)] Meet such other requirements as may be established by the State Board of Elections in administrative regulations promulgated in accordance with[under] KRS Chapter 13A to reflect changes in technology to ensure the integrity and security of voting systems.

Section(2) 7.Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (1) of this section, continued use of a voting system and all voting equipment that was approved for use by the State Board of Elections as of the effective date of this Act, and was utilized by a county before the effective date of this Act, shall be allowed until such time as a replacement voting system is acquired by the county.

Section 6.

KRS 117.155 is amended to read as follows:

The county clerk shall place all ballots required to be placed upon voting equipment in such a manner as will most nearly conform to the plan of arrangement prescribed by the Secretary of State under KRS 118.215.

The county clerk shall then see that the counters referred to in KRS 117.125(1)(q)[(17)] and (1)(r)[(18)] are set at zero, and shall lock the operating device and mechanism and the devices protecting the counters and ballots, which shall then be covered with a tamper-resistant seal.

The county clerk shall then enter in an appropriate book, opposite the number of each precinct the distinguishing number of the voting equipment or the unique designation to be used in that precinct.

Page 12 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA Section 7.

KRS 117.205 is amended to read as follows:

Before the polls are open, and before permitting any person to vote on the day of the election, the election officers shall examine the voting equipment to ascertain whether it has been operated since the counters referred to in KRS 117.125(1)(q)[(17)] and (1)(r)[(18)] were set at zero, and to ascertain whether the ballots are arranged as previously specified.

If the voting equipment indicates that it has been operated or if the ballots are not properly arranged, the officers shall not unlock the operating device or mechanism, but shall immediately secure the attendance of the county clerk and one (1) member of the county board of elections other than the county clerk, who shall reset the counters at zero and relock the device covering the counters, or properly arrange the ballots, as the case may be, in the presence of the election officers.

If the attendance of members of the board of elections cannot be obtained before the opening of the polls or within one (1) hour thereafter, the election officers shall notify the county clerk of the foregoing facts and obtain from the county clerk reserve voting equipment, and proceed to conduct the election.

Any reserve voting equipment shall have been certified for use at the election by the county board of elections and prepared for use at the election by the election officers in the precinct in the same manner as the original voting equipment was prepared for the election.

The voting equipment found to have been so operated shall be returned immediately to the custody of the county clerk, whose duty it shall be to promptly repair same so that it may be used as reserve voting equipment in the election if needed.

Section 8.

Page(2) 11Place ofitems 32on BR133400.100any -ballot 1334which -shall, XXXXas 2/2/2026closely 5:46as PMpossible, Jacketedfollow UNOFFICIALthe COPYPage 2613 RSof BR43 1334HB053410.100 (2)- Place1334 items- onXXXX any3/5/2026 ballot3:45 whichPM shall,GA asUNOFFICIAL closelyCOPY as26 possible,RS followHB the534/GA requirements pertaining to ballots;

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If there is a discrepancy between the machine count and the hand-to- Pageeye 13audit, ofother 32than BR133400.100instances -of 1334voter -intent XXXXmarkings 2/2/2026outside 5:46the PMdesignated JacketedPage UNOFFICIAL15 COPYof 2643 RSHB053410.100 BR- 1334 eye- audit,XXXX other3/5/2026 than3:45 instancesPM ofGA voterUNOFFICIAL intentCOPY markings26 outsideRS theHB designated534/GA marking area on the paper ballot that were unreadable by the scanner, or unscanned overvotes resulting from two (2) or more voter intent marks on the same race, the county board of elections or its designee shall open an election investigation including a review of election day irregularity reports.

and (12) Unless contrary to the Help America Vote Act of 2002, ensure that all federal Pageprovisional 14voting ofshall 32be BR133400.100conducted -in 1334a -manner XXXXas 2/2/2026prescribed 5:46by PMKRS JacketedChapters UNOFFICIALPage COPY16 26of RS43 BRHB053410.100 - 1334 provisional- votingXXXX shall3/5/2026 be3:45 conductedPM inGA aUNOFFICIAL mannerCOPY as26 prescribedRS byHB KRS534/GA Chapters 116 to 120.

Section 8.9.

(a) It shall so order, and certify the fact to the board of elections, and the candidate's name shall be stricken from the written designation of election officers filed with the board of elections or the court may refuse recognition or relief in a mandatory or injunctive way;[.] Page 1517 of 3243 BR133400.100HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/20263/5/2026 5:463:45 PM JacketedGA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BRHB 1334534/GA or relief in a mandatory or injunctive way;[.] (b) The order of the Circuit Court shall be entered on the order book of the court and shall be subject to a motion to set aside in the Court of Appeals.

SECTIONSection 9.10.

KRS 118.405 is amended to read as follows:

(1) No candidate's name shall appear on any ballot, including any federal provisional ballot, federal provisional absentee ballot, or absentee ballot more than once, except that a candidate's name may appear twice if he or she:

(a) Is a candidate for a primary or a regular election and also a candidate to fill a vacancy in the same office required to be filled at a special election, when the special election to fill a vacancy is scheduled for the regular election day;

or (b) Is a candidate for two (2) different federal offices on the same ballot, if one (1) of the offices is decided by the United States Electoral College and the person currently holds an elected federal office.

(2) Subsection (1)(b) of this section shall not be construed to permit a person to hold Page 18 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA two (2) incompatible offices simultaneously in violation of the Constitution of the United States, Constitution of Kentucky, or any applicable state or federal law.

SECTION 11.

Page 16 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 (a) Claim to be the official nominee of a political party for judicial office;

Section 10.12.

In courts having more than one (1) judge, the judge who shall try the case Page 19 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA shall be determined by lot.

(4) If it appears from an inspection of the whole record that there has been such fraud, Page 17 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 intimidation, bribery, or violence in the conduct of the election that neither contestant nor contestee can be judged to have been fairly elected, the Circuit Court, or an appellate court[,] on appeal, may adjudge that there has been no election.

Page 20 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA The fees and costs shall be taxed by the court against the local board of elections or against any party adjudicated to have engaged in fraud, intimidation, bribery, or violence that prevented either the contestant or contestee from being fairly elected.

Section 11.13.

Page 18 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 (a) "Campaign committee," which means one (1) or more persons who receive contributions and make expenditures to support or oppose one (1) or more specific candidates or slates of candidates for nomination or election to any state, county, city, or district office, that is authorized by the candidate or slate of candidates to receive contributions, make expenditures, and generally conduct a campaign for the candidate or slate of candidates, but does not include an entity established solely by a candidate which is managed solely by a candidate and a campaign treasurer and whose name is generic in nature, such as "Friends of (the candidate)," and does not reflect that other persons have structured themselves as a committee, designated officers of the committee, and assigned responsibilities and duties to each officer with the purpose of managing a campaign to support or oppose a candidate in an election;

(b) "Independent expenditure-only committee," which means one (1) or more persons who receive unlimited contributions for the purpose of making only Page 21 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA independent expenditures to support or oppose one (1) or more specific candidates or slates of candidates for nomination or election to any state, county, city, or district office;

Subdivisions of the state executive committee of a minor political party, Page 19 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 which serve the same function as the above-named committees, as determined by regulations promulgated by the registry;

(f) [An ]"Executive committee of a political party," which means a political Page 22 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA committee that is a subdivision of a national political party committee and operates within the structure and under the supervision of the state executive committee of that same political party.

(4) "Contributing organization" means a group which merely contributes to candidates, Page 20 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 slates of candidates, campaign committees, caucus campaign committees, or executive committees from time to time from funds derived solely from within the group, and which does not solicit or receive funds from sources outside the group itself.

As used in this subsection, "loan" shall include a guarantee, endorsement, or other form of security where the risk of nonpayment rests with the surety, guarantor, or endorser, as well as with a committee, contributing organization, candidate, slate of candidates, or Page 23 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA other primary obligor.

(c) Goods, advertising, or services with a value of more than one hundred dollars ($100) in the aggregate in any one (1) election which are furnished to a Page 21 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 candidate, slate of candidates, committee, or contributing organization or for inauguration activities without charge, or at a rate which is less than the rate normally charged for the goods or services;

(b) A loan of money by any financial institution doing business in Kentucky Page 24 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA made in accordance with applicable banking laws and regulations and in the ordinary course of business;business;[ or] (c) An independent expenditure by any individual or permanent committee;

or (c)(d) AnAny independentprocessing expenditurefee, transaction fee, or service charge deducted by anya individualthird- party payment processor, credit card issuer, or permanentelectronic committee;payment service, provided that the fee is a standard commercial charge for the service rendered;

(a) Between the time a certificate or petition of nomination has been filed for a candidate for the office of Governor under KRS 118.365 and the time the candidate designates a running mate for the office of Lieutenant Governor Page 22 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 under KRS 118.126, a slate of candidates consists of the candidate for the office of Governor;

(11) "Fundraiser" means an individual who directly solicits and secures contributions on Page 25 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA behalf of a candidate or slate of candidates for a statewide-elected state office or an office in a jurisdiction with a population in excess of two hundred thousand (200,000) residents;

Is made without any coordination, consultation, or cooperation with any Page 23 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 political issues committee, or any authorized person acting on behalf of a political issues committee;

(14) "Security procedure" means a procedure employed for the purpose of verifying that Page 26 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA an electronic signature, record, or performance is that of a specific person or for detecting changes or errors in the information in an electronic record.

(19) "Reasonable cause" means an event, happening, or circumstance entirely beyond the knowledge or control of the candidate, slate of candidates, or committee, which Page 24 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 has exercised due care and prudence in maintaining the records of the campaign or committee pursuant to statute or administrative regulation;

or (e) Any entity in the United States, including but not limited to a partnership, Page 27 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA association, corporation, or organization that is wholly or majority owned by any foreign national, unless:

Page 25 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 (c) Traveling;

Section 12.14.

KRS 121.065 is amended to read as follows:

(1) No publisher of newspapers, magazines, handbills, or other printed matter, owner or lessor of billboards, radio or television station or network, digital media platform, or any other person, company, corporation, or organization offering its Page 28 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA communications services for hire to the public shall be permitted to charge fees for political advertising in excess of the lowest rate charged to other advertisers at the time the political advertising is purchased.

(2) Political advertising means any communication intended to support or defeat a candidate for public office.

(3) An action to enjoin violations of this section shall be in the Circuit Court of the county where the complaining candidate resides.

Section 15.

KRS 121.110 is amended to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby created as an independent agency of state government a Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.

The registry shall be composed of seven (7) members appointed as provided herein.

The registry shall remain independent of any other agency or department of state government.

Members shall be at least twenty-five (25) years of age, registered voters in Kentucky, not announced candidates for public office, not officers of a political party's state central executive committee, shall not have been convicted of an election offense, and shall be persons of high ethical standards who have an active interest in promoting fair elections.

Appointees shall be subject to Senate confirmation at the next regular session of the General Assembly following appointment, or at the next special session if included in the Governor's call.

Appointees shall have full power to serve until any vote of nonconfirmation.

(2) Members of the registry shall be selected as follows:

(a) One (1) member shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of three (3) nominees submitted by the state central committee of the political party polling the largest vote at the last gubernatorial election;[.] (b) One (1) member shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of three (3) nominees submitted by the state central committee of the political party polling the second largest vote at the last gubernatorial election.

The members Page 29 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA appointed pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall take office on August 15, 1990, for a term of one (1) year and their successors shall serve a term of four (4) years beginning August 15, 1991, or until their successors are appointed and qualified;[.] (c) Two (2) other members shall be appointed by the Governor.

Before making these appointments, the Governor shall solicit nominations from at least two (2) organizations which have demonstrated a nonpartisan interest in fair elections and informed voting.

The Governor's solicitations and the replies shall be public records.

The Governor shall give due consideration to such nominations.

The two (2) members appointed pursuant to this subsection shall be one (1) from each of the two (2) political parties which polled the greatest number of votes at the last gubernatorial election.

Members appointed pursuant to this subsection shall take office on August 15, 1988, for a term of four (4) years or until their successors are appointed and qualified and their successors shall serve a term of four (4) years.

(d) One (1) member shall be appointed by the Auditor of Public Accounts after soliciting nominations as provided by subsection (c) of this section.

The appointee shall be a member of one (1) of the two (2) political parties which polled the greatest number of votes at the last gubernatorial election.

The member appointed pursuant to this subsection shall take office on August 15, 1997, for a term of four (4) years or until his successor is appointed and qualified and his successors shall serve a term of four (4) years;[.] (e) One (1) member shall be appointed by the Attorney General after soliciting nominations as provided by subsection (c) of this section.

The appointee shall not be a member of the same political party as the person appointed by the Auditor of Public Accounts pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.

The member appointed pursuant to this subsection shall take office on August 15, Page 30 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA 1990, for a term of four (4) years or until his successor is appointed and qualified and his successors shall serve a term of four (4) years;

and[.] (f) One (1) member shall be appointed by the Secretary of State after soliciting nominations as provided by subsection (c) of this section.

The Secretary of State's appointment shall be without regard to political affiliation.

The member appointed pursuant to this subsection shall take office on August 15, 1990, for a term of three (3) years or until his successor is appointed and qualified and his successors shall serve a term of four (4) years.

(3) The members of the registry shall select a chairman from among the appointed membership, effective August 15, 1990.

The chairman shall serve in that capacity for one (1) year and shall be eligible for reelection.

The chairman shall preside at all meetings and shall have all the powers and privileges of the other members.

(4) In the event of a vacancy in the office of any member, the vacancy shall be filled within thirty (30) days of the occurrence, in the same manner as the vacating member's office was filled pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.

(5) The registry shall fix the place and time of its regular meetings by order duly recorded in its minutes.

No action shall be taken without a quorum present.

Special meetings shall be called by the chairman on his own initiative or on the written request of three (3) members.

Members shall receive seven (7) days' written notice of a special meeting and the notice shall specify the purpose, time and place of the meeting, and no other matters may be considered, without a specific waiver by all the members.

(6) The members of the registry[ shall receive sixty-five dollars ($65) per diem, and] shall be reimbursed for necessary travel and expenses in the same manner as state employees[all reasonable and necessary expenses].

Section 16.

KRS 121.140 is amended to read as follows:

(1) Upon the sworn complaint of any person, or on its own initiative, the registry shall Page 31 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA investigate alleged violations of campaign finance law.

In conducting any investigation, the registry shall have the power of subpoena and may compel production of evidence including the financial records of any person determined by the registry to be vital to the investigation.

The records subject to subpoena include, but are not limited to, a person's bank records and other relevant documents, but excluding individual and business income tax records.

(2) If the registry concludes that there is probable cause to believe that the law has been violated, the registry shall notify the alleged violator of its conclusions and the evidence supporting them, and shall offer the alleged violator a conciliation agreement to resolve the issue.

A conciliation agreement may require the alleged violator to comply with one (1) or more of the following:

(a) To cease and desist violations of the law;

(b) To file required reports or other documents or information;

(c) To pay a penalty not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) a day, up to a maximum total fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000), for failure to file any report, payment of an administrative fee, or other document or information required by law until the report, fee payment, document, or information is filed;

except that there shall be no maximum total fine for candidates for statewide office;

or (d) To pay a penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation for acts of noncompliance with provisions contained within this chapter.

(3) No monetary penalty under subsection (2) of this section for failure to file any report, payment of an administrative fee, or other documentation or information required by law shall begin to accrue or be assessed until five (5) business days after the registry has provided notice of the delinquency to the candidate or the campaign treasurer.

If the violation is corrected within the five (5) business days following the registry's notice, no penalty shall be assessed.

Page 32 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA (4) To accept a conciliation agreement, an alleged violator shall deliver the signed agreement to the registry either in person or by mail postmarked not later than ten (10) days after the day he received it.

The registry may institute a civil action in Franklin Circuit Court or the Circuit Court for the county of the violator's residence to enforce the provisions of any conciliation agreement accepted by a violator who is not complying with its provisions.

(5)[(4)] If the alleged violator declines to accept the conciliation agreement or fails to respond within the time allowed, the registry shall conduct an administrative hearing.

The provisions of KRS Chapter 13B shall apply to all registry administrative hearings except for the provisions of KRS 13B.030(2)(b).

A party adversely affected by the registry's final order may appeal to Franklin Circuit Court within thirty (30) days after the date of the registry's final order.

The violator may be ordered to comply with any one (1) or more of the following requirements:

(a) To cease and desist violation of this law;

(b) To file any reports or other documents or information required by this law;

(c) To pay a penalty not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) a day, up to a maximum total fine of five thousand dollars ($5,000), for failure to file any report, payment of an administrative fee, or other document or information required by law until the report, fee payment, document, or information is filed;

except that there shall be no maximum total fine for candidates for statewide office;

or (d) To pay a penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation for acts of noncompliance with provisions contained within this chapter.

An appeal of an order shall be advanced on the docket to permit a timely decision.

(6)[(5)] If the registry concludes that there is probable cause to believe that the campaign finance law has been violated knowingly, it shall refer the violation to the Page 33 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA Attorney General or the appropriate Commonwealth's or county attorney for prosecution.

The Attorney General may request the registry's attorney or the appropriate county or Commonwealth's attorney to prosecute the matter and may request from the registry all evidence collected in its investigation.

In the event the Attorney General or the appropriate local prosecutor fails to prosecute in a timely fashion, the registry may petition the Circuit Court to appoint the registry's attorney to prosecute, and upon a motion timely filed, for good cause shown, the court shall enter an order to that effect.

Prosecutions involving campaign finance law violations, in which the reports are required to be filed in Frankfort, may be conducted in Franklin Circuit Court or in the Circuit Court for the county in which the contribution or expenditure constituting a campaign finance violation was solicited, made, or accepted.

The prosecution of a person who unlawfully solicits, makes, or accepts a contribution or expenditure through the use of the mail may be conducted in the Circuit Court for the county in which the solicitation is mailed, the county in which the contribution is mailed or received, or the county in which the expenditure is mailed.

(7)[(6)] If judicial review is sought of any action of the registry relating to a pending election, the matter shall be advanced on the docket of the court.

The court may take any steps authorized by law to accelerate its procedures so as to permit a timely decision.

Section 17.

Any person making an independent expenditure, shall report these Page 34 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA expenditures when the expenditures by that person exceed five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate in any one (1) election, on a form provided or using a format approved by the registry and shall sign a statement on the form, under penalty of perjury, that the expenditure was an actual independent expenditure and that there was no prior communication with the campaign on whose behalf it was made.

except that it shall not be construed as a violation of this section forfor: a candidate or a slate of candidates to contribute to religious, civic, or charitable Page 26 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 groups.

(a) A candidate or a slate of candidates to contribute to religious, civic, or charitable groups;

or (b) A state or county executive committee of a political party to contribute up to one hundred dollars ($100) per year to a nonprofit civic organization if the organization promotes civic education, voter registration efforts, or patriotic events.

Anonymous contributions in excess of two thousand dollars ($2,000) in the aggregate which are Page 35 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA received in any one (1) election shall escheat to the state.

Page 27 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 (6) Except as provided in subsection (22) of this section, no candidate, slate of candidates, campaign committee, nor anyone acting on their behalf, shall accept a contribution of more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) as indexed for inflation every odd-numbered year using the preceding year's percent increase in the non- seasonally adjusted annual average Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S.

No person, permanent committee, or contributing organization shall contribute more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) as indexed for inflation every Page 36 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA odd-numbered year using the preceding year's percent increase in the non- seasonally adjusted annual average Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S.

A permanent committee or independent expenditure-only committee may make unlimited contributions to an independent expenditure-only committee, or as allowed by federal law to a federally registered political committee, provided that if a contribution is earmarked for a particular independent expenditure, the person making the independent expenditure shall disclose the contribution when reporting Page 28 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 the independent expenditure pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.

(10) No person shall contribute more than two thousand dollars ($2,000)as($2,000) as indexed for inflation every odd-numbered year using the preceding year's percent increase in the non-seasonally adjusted annual average Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S.

Page 37 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA (11) (a) No person shall contribute more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) to the state executive committee of a political party in any one (1) year.

Page 29 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 (13) Subject to the provisions of subsection (17) of this section, no candidate or slate of candidates for nomination to any state, county, city, or district office, nor their campaign committees, nor anyone on their behalf, shall solicit or accept contributions for primary election expenses after the date of the primary.

No Page 38 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA person other than the candidate or slate of candidates shall contribute for regular election expenses after the date of the regular election.

(17) A candidate, slate of candidates, or a campaign committee may solicit and accept contributions after the date of a primary election, regular election, or special election to defray necessary expenses that arise after the date of the election associated with election contests, recounts, and recanvasses of a specific election, Page 30 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 complaints regarding alleged campaign finance violations that are filed with the registry pertaining to a specific election, or other legal actions pertaining to a specific election to which a candidate, slate of candidates, or campaign committee is a party, and for repayment of debts and obligations owed by the campaign or previous campaign for the same office.

(18) No candidate, slate of candidates, committee, except a political issues committee, independent expenditure-only committee, or contributing organization, nor anyone on their behalf, shall knowingly accept a contribution from a corporation, directly Page 39 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA or indirectly, except to the extent that the contribution is designated to a state executive committee's building fund account established under KRS 121.172.

However, it shall not be a violation of this subsection for a federal candidate to contribute to a party executive Page 31 of 32 BR133400.100 - 1334 - XXXX 2/2/2026 5:46 PM Jacketed UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1334 committee if the amount of the contribution does not exceed the contribution limit contained in subsection (11) of this section,section and if the contribution is not earmarked for a particular candidate or slate of candidates.

(23)Page Nothing40 inof this43 sectionHB053410.100 or- in1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA (23) This section and any other provision of this chapter shall not be construed to prohibit a qualified political party committee, including a state or county executive committee, from endorsing, supporting, opposing, or making otherwise lawful contributions or expenditures supporting or opposing a candidacy designated as nonpartisan under state law.

Section 13.18.

Whereas,KRS it121.190 is criticallyamended important to protectread theas integrityfollows: and reliability of the electoral process in order to safeguard the fundamental right to vote, and it is a reasonable legislative task to seek improvement, modernization, and transparency in campaign finance and election procedures without undue delay in notice to the people of the Commonwealth and its election officials tasked with administering the election laws within this state, an emergency is declared to exist, and this Act takes effect upon its passage and approval by the Governor or upon its otherwise becoming a law.

Page(1) 32All newspaper or magazine advertising, posters, circulars, billboards, handbills, sample ballots, digital media, and paid-for television or radio announcements, or any other type of 32general BR133400.100public -political 1334advertising, -which XXXXexpressly 2/2/2026advocate 5:46the PMelection Jacketedor defeat of a clearly identified candidate, slate of candidates, or group of candidates for nomination or election to any public office, or expressly advocate or oppose a ballot measure, shall be identified by the words "paid for by" followed by the name and address of the individual or committee which paid for the communication;

except that if paid for by a candidate, slate of candidates, or campaign committee, it shall be identified only by the words "paid for by" followed by the name of the candidate, slate of candidates, or campaign committee, whichever is applicable.

For television and radio broadcasts, compliance with Federal Communications Commission regulations regarding sponsored programs and broadcasts by candidates for public office shall be considered compliance with this section.

(2) The disclaimer described in subsection (1) of this section shall appear and be presented in a clear and conspicuous manner to give the reader or observer adequate notice of the identity of the purchaser of the communication.

A disclaimer does not comply with this section if the disclaimer is difficult to read or if the placement of the disclaimer is easily overlooked.

Page 41 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA (3) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to:

(a) Any news articles, editorial endorsements, opinion, or commentary writings, or letter to the editor printed in a newspaper, magazine, flyer, pamphlet, or other periodical not owned or controlled by a candidate or committee;

(b) Any editorial endorsements or opinions aired by a broadcast facility not owned or controlled by a candidate or committee;

(c) Any communication by a person made in the regular course and scope of the person's business or any communication made by a membership organization solely to members of the organization and the members' families;

and (d) Any communication that refers to any candidate only as part of the popular name of a bill or statute.

(4) (a) A person shall not use, cause or permit to be used, or continue to use any published, distributed, or broadcast political advertising containing express advocacy that the person knows does not include the disclosure required by subsection (1) of this section.

A person is presumed to know that the use of political advertising is prohibited by this subsection if the registry notifies the person in writing that the use is prohibited.

(b) A person who learns that political advertising signs that have been distributed do not include the disclosure required by subsection (1) of this section or include a disclosure that does not comply with subsection (1) of this section does not commit a violation of this subsection if the person makes a good- faith attempt to remove or correct those signs within forty-eight (48) hours and provides the registry with proof of correction.

(5) The management of newspapers and magazines shall keep a one (1) year record of all statements, articles, or advertisements referred to in subsection (1) of this section, that appear in their publications, however, nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed to require editors or editorial writers of newspapers and Page 42 of 43 HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PM GA UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS HB 534/GA magazines to identify themselves in the manner therein required with any article or editorial written by them as part of their duties as an employee or employer.

HB053410.100 - 1334 - XXXX 3/5/2026 3:45 PMe 43 of 43 GA