Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky SR305: A RESOLUTION censuring Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson for his intemperate remarks that threatened attorneys and legislators participating in pending impeachment proceedings with professional discipline and criminal prosecution, and directing a complaint to be filed against him with the Judicial Conduct Commission.
Status: Passed both chambers, April 15, 2026
Direct the Director of the Legislative Research Commission to file a complaint with the Judicial Conduct Commission on behalf of the Senate requesting evaluation by the Judicial Conduct Commission of Justice Kelly Thompson's remarks in a Supreme Court opinion related to the impeachment proceedings of Judge Julie Muth Goodman; censure Justice Kelly Thompson for statements threatening attorneys and legislators participating in current and future impeachment proceedings with disciplinary action and possible criminal prosecution, and for violation of various sections of the Constitution of Kentucky and the Constitution of the United States.
What the bill says
A resolution censuring Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson for his intemperate remarks that threatened attorneys and legislators participating in pending impeachment proceedings with professional discipline and criminal prosecution, and directing a complaint to be filed against him with the Judicial Conduct Commission.
From the introduced text:
A RESOLUTION censuring Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson for his intemperate remarks that threatened attorneys and legislators participating in pending impeachment proceedings with professional discipline and criminal prosecution, and directing a complaint to be filed against him with the Judicial Conduct Commission. WHEREAS, on March 20, 2026, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 124, which approved five Articles of Impeachment against Julie Muth Goodman, Circuit Judge for the 22nd Judicial Circuit consisting of Fayette County; and WHEREAS, the five Articles of Impeachment in House Resolution 124 asserted that Judge Goodman's conduct constituted "misdemeanors in office" which are impeachable under Sections 66, 67, and 68 of the Constitution of Kentucky; and WHEREAS, on April 6, 2026, the Kentucky Supreme Court issued an opinion that purported to exercise the Court's supervisory writ power under Section 110 of the Constitution of Kentucky, which is textually limited in scope to "writs necessary in aid of its appellate jurisdiction, or the complete determination of any cause, or as may be required to exercise control of the Court of Justice," over an impeachment proceeding that is pending in the General Assembly, where the Kentucky Supreme Court's supervisory writ power cannot reach; and WHEREAS, the Kentucky Supreme Court purported to enjoin the General Assembly from exercising powers that the Constitution of Kentucky vests solely in …