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KentuckySB 102026 Regular SessionSenate

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.

Sponsored By: Christian McDaniel (Republican)

Became Law

Constitution, Ky.County ClerksCrimes And PunishmentsElections And VotingGovernorSecretary Of StateLocal Mandate

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Kentucky voters decide election-season pardon limits

The law sends a constitutional amendment to Kentucky voters at the next regular election for approval or rejection. The amendment bars the governor from granting pardons, sentence reductions, or reprieves during an election-season window. That window starts 60 days before the election for governor and ends on the fifth Tuesday after it. The text keeps the ban on clemency in impeachment cases; impeachment is not an exception allowing pardons. It also requires written reasons for clemency decisions, with applications and reasons open to public inspection. It preserves special treason reprieves until the next legislative session ends, when pardon authority rests with the legislature. The governor cannot forgive clerk, sheriff, or prosecutor fees in criminal cases. The Secretary of State must publish the question and amendment by the first Tuesday in August before the election. The Secretary must also certify them to county clerks by the applicable deadline for printing on ballots.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Christian McDaniel

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Craig Richardson

    Republican • Senate

  • Danny Carroll

    Republican • Senate

  • Donald Douglas

    Republican • Senate

  • Gary Boswell

    Republican • Senate

  • Greg Elkins

    Republican • Senate

  • Matthew Deneen

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Nunn

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Wilson

    Republican • Senate

  • Max Wise

    Republican • Senate

  • Robby Mills

    Republican • Senate

  • Shelley Funke Frommeyer

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Rawlings

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 154 • No: 13

House vote • 4/1/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 82 • No: 12

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

passed

Yes: 36 • No: 1

Senate vote • 1/20/2026

3rd reading, passed

Yes: 36 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 12)

    4/1/2026

  2. enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House

    4/1/2026Senate

  3. enrolled, signed by President of the Senate

    4/1/2026Senate

  4. passed 36-1

    4/1/2026Senate

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

    4/1/2026Senate

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

    4/1/2026House

  7. taken from Rules

    4/1/2026Senate

  8. to Rules (S)

    4/1/2026Senate

  9. received in Senate

    4/1/2026Senate

  10. 3rd reading, passed 82-12 with Floor Amendment (1) and Floor Amendment (2-title)

    4/1/2026House

  11. floor amendment (1) adopted

    4/1/2026House

  12. placed in the Orders of the Day

    4/1/2026House

  13. taken from Rules

    4/1/2026House

  14. 2nd reading, to Rules

    3/27/2026House

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

    3/26/2026House

  16. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

    3/26/2026House

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

    3/13/2026House

  18. received in House

    1/21/2026House

  19. 3rd reading, passed 36-0-1

    1/20/2026Senate

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

    1/16/2026Senate

  21. 2nd reading, to Rules

    1/15/2026Senate

  22. reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar

    1/14/2026Senate

  23. to State & Local Government (S)

    1/12/2026Senate

  24. to Committee on Committees (S)

    1/8/2026Senate

  25. introduced in Senate

    1/8/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Current

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/20/2026

    PDF

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