SB59 - Prohibited uses of tax dollars for ballot advocacy (Vetoed)

Detected April 8th, 2026

Summary

Kentucky SB59 was vetoed by the Governor on April 7, 2026, preventing the bill from becoming law. The bill would have prohibited public entities including school districts from using tax dollars or resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, and would have established criminal penalties (up to 10 years prohibition from public office) and civil causes of action for violations. The Senate passed the bill 29-8 and the House passed it 75-16 before the veto.

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What changed

Kentucky SB59 was vetoed before becoming law. The bill had passed both chambers with strong majorities (Senate 29-8, House 75-16) and would have prohibited government agencies, school districts, and regional educational cooperatives from using tax dollars or resources to advocate for or against any public question on the ballot, including recalls. The bill included criminal penalties ( Class A misdemeanor) and a 10-year prohibition from holding public office for violations, plus civil remedies allowing citizens to sue for damages.

The veto means the prohibited uses framework did not take effect. Public entities in Kentucky remain subject to existing KRS 65.013 restrictions. However, sponsors may reintroduce similar legislation in future sessions. Entities that engage in public communications about ballot measures should continue monitoring legislative developments and maintain awareness of existing campaign finance and ethics requirements.

What to do next

Monitor for reintroduction of similar ballot advocacy restrictions in future Kentucky legislative sessions
Review internal policies on public communications regarding ballot measures regardless of veto

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / Kentucky / SB59 Vetoed SB59 Senate Bill Vetoed 2026-04-07

AN ACT relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources.

Amend KRS 65.013 to define terms; expand the prohibition on using tax dollars to advocate for or against a public question on the ballot to prohibit using any resources, and to explicitly apply prohibition to school districts, regional educational cooperatives, and recalls on a ballot; establish a criminal penalty and a prohibition against holding a position of public trust or profit for 10 years for a person found guilty of violating the prohibition; create a cause of action for a citizen aggrieved by a violation of the prohibition; establish a statute of limitations to commence suit and the appropriate venue; provide when the suit accrues; specify damages recoverable per violation; allow for class action; include a prohibition against holding a position of public trust or profit for 10 years for a person held civilly liable; amend KRS 48.025 and 132.017 to conform.

Bill Details

State Kentucky

Session 2026 Regular Session

Chamber Senate

Official Source apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26RS/sb59.html

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Action History

2026-04-07 S Vetoed 2026-03-26 S delivered to Governor 2026-03-26 S enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House 2026-03-26 S enrolled, signed by President of the Senate 2026-03-26 S passed 29-8 2026-03-26 S Senate concurred in Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2) 2026-03-26 S posted for passage for concurrence in House Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2) 2026-03-26 S taken from Rules 2026-03-26 S to Rules (S) 2026-03-26 S received in Senate 2026-03-25 H 3rd reading, passed 75-16 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2) 2026-03-19 H posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Friday, March 20 2026 2026-03-17 H floor amendment (2) filed to Committee Substitute 2026-03-13 H 2nd reading, to Rules 2026-03-12 H floor amendment (1) filed to Committee Substitute 2026-03-12 H reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) 2026-03-10 H to State Government (H) 2026-03-06 H to Committee on Committees (H) 2026-03-06 H received in House 2026-03-05 S 3rd reading, passed 28-9 with Committee Substitute (1) 2026-03-04 S posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Thursday, March 05 2026 2026-02-26 S 2nd reading, to Rules 2026-02-25 S reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1) 2026-02-20 S to Appropriations & Revenue (S) 2026-01-09 S to Committee on Committees (S) 2026-01-09 S introduced in Senate

Votes

2026-03-05 Senate: Third Reading RSN# 3883 Yea: 28 Nay: 9 2026-03-25 House: Veto Override RCS# 326 Yea: 75 Nay: 16 2026-03-26 Senate: Third Reading RSN# 4018 Yea: 29 Nay: 8

Committee Referrals

2026-01-09 S Committee on Committees 2026-02-20 S Appropriations and Revenue 2026-02-26 S Rules 2026-03-06 H Committee On Committees 2026-03-10 H State Government 2026-03-13 H Rules 2026-03-26 S Rules

Amendments

0000-00-00 Senate Committee Substitute 0000-00-00 Senate Committee Substitute 0000-00-00 Senate Committee Substitute 0000-00-00 Senate Committee Substitute 0000-00-00 House Committee Substitute 0000-00-00 House Committee Substitute 0000-00-00 House Committee Substitute 0000-00-00 House Floor Amendment 0000-00-00 House Floor Amendment

Bill Text Versions

0000-00-00 Introduced 0000-00-00 Engrossed 0000-00-00 Enrolled

Subjects

Cities Counties Crimes and Punishments Education, Elementary and Secondary Local Government Public Officers and Employees Special Districts Special Purpose Governmental Entities State Agencies Corrections Impact Local Mandate Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)