Introduced

Passed House

Passed Senate

Became law

Adjourned sine die. The bill was pending when the session ended, so it did not pass.

Last action · January 15, 2026

To Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)

Introduced January 8, 2026

House

Adjourned Sine Die

2026 Regular Session

HB259

AN ACT proposing an amendment to Sections 32, 72, 91, 100, and 122 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to citizenship requirements of state and local elected officials.

Propose to amend Sections 32, 72, 91, 100, and 122 of the Constitution of Kentucky to require candidates for the General Assembly, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Auditor of Public Accounts, Commissioner of Agriculture, Secretary of State, Attorney General, county clerk, Circuit Court clerk, Commonwealth’s attorney, county attorney, District Judge, Circuit Judge, Court of Appeals Judge, and Justice of the Supreme Court to be a natural born citizen of the United States and a national of only the United States in order to hold each respective office; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.

Secretary of State Constitution, Ky.Elections and Voting Agriculture Attorney, Commonwealth's Attorney, County Attorney General Auditor of Public Accounts Circuit Clerks County Clerks Court of Appeals Court, Supreme Courts, Circuit Courts, District General Assembly Governor Lieutenant Governor Treasurer

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This bill proposes a change to the Kentucky Constitution that would require candidates for a wide range of state and local elected offices — from the Governor and General Assembly to judges, county clerks, and attorneys — to be natural-born U.S. citizens and citizens of only the United States. Because it is a constitutional amendment, it would not become law on its own; voters would have the final say in ratifying or rejecting it at the ballot box. Who it may affect: people running for or currently holding the listed state and local elected offices in Kentucky.

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