SB 59
AN ACT relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources.
In Plain Language
This bill expands the ban on using government money and resources to promote or oppose ballot measures to include school districts and recalls. It adds criminal penalties for violations, including possible loss of public employment for 10 years, and lets citizens sue for damages if the law is broken. Anyone found guilty in court—either criminally or in a lawsuit—faces a 10-year ban from holding public office or employment.
Official summary
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.
Sponsor
—
Cosponsors
None listed
Latest action
delivered to Secretary of State (Acts Ch. 155)
Apr 14, 2026
Official source
Action history
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