Senate
Veto Override
2026 Regular Session

SB59

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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.

CitiesCountiesCrimes and PunishmentsEducation, Elementary and SecondaryLocal GovernmentPublic Officers and EmployeesSpecial DistrictsSpecial Purpose Governmental EntitiesState AgenciesCorrections ImpactLocal Mandate

Introduced: January 9, 2026

Last action: April 14, 2026

Delivered To Secretary Of State (Acts Ch. 155)
Read the full textKentucky LegislatureLegiScan

Legislative History

Jan 9, 2026 · Senate
Introduced In Senate
Jan 9, 2026 · Senate
To Committee On Committees (S)
Feb 20, 2026 · Senate
To Appropriations & Revenue (S)
Feb 25, 2026 · Senate
Reported Favorably, 1st Reading, To Calendar With Committee Substitute (1)
Feb 26, 2026 · Senate
2nd Reading, To Rules (clerical)
Mar 4, 2026 · Senate
Posted For Passage In The Regular Orders Of The Day For Thursday, March 05 2026 (clerical)
Mar 5, 2026 · Senate
3rd Reading, Passed 28-9 With Committee Substitute (1) (clerical)
Mar 6, 2026 · House
Received In House

Primary Sponsor

Portrait of Steve Rawlings
Steve Rawlings

Senator · Senate District 11

Primary sponsor
steve.rawlings@kylegislature.gov
BallotpediaOfficial profile

Co-sponsors (5)

Portrait of Greg Elkins
Greg Elkins

Senator · Senate District 28

Co-sponsor
greg.elkins@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Matthew Deneen
Matthew Deneen

Senator · Senate District 10

Co-sponsor
matthew.deneen@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Donald Douglas
Donald Douglas

Senator · Senate District 22

Co-sponsor
Donald.Douglas@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Aaron Reed
Aaron Reed

Senator · Senate District 07

Co-sponsor
aaron.reed@kylegislature.gov
Portrait of Lindsey Tichenor
Lindsey Tichenor

Senator · Senate District 06

Co-sponsor
lindsey.tichenor@kylegislature.gov

Roll calls

March 5, 2026

Senate: 3rd reading, passed 28-9 with Committee Substitute (1)

Yea: 28
Nay: 9
LegiScan roll call
March 25, 2026

House: 3rd reading, passed 75-16 with Committee Substitute (1) and Floor Amendment (2)

Yea: 75
Nay: 16
March 26, 2026

Senate: Passed 29-8

Yea: 29
Nay: 8
April 14, 2026

Senate floor vote

Yea: 31
Nay: 7
April 14, 2026

House floor vote

Yea: 80
Nay: 19