Kentucky legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Kentucky HB861: AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
Status: In committee, March 10, 2026
Propose to amend Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to automatically restore the voting rights and civil rights of persons convicted of certain felonies upon completion of their imprisonment, probation, and parole; provide ballot language; submit to voters for ratification or rejection.
What the bill says
An act proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Section 1. Are you in favor of amending Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky to automatically restore the voting rights and civil rights of persons who have been convicted of a Class C or Class D felony not involving treason, bribery in an election, election fraud, a violent felony offense, a felony sexual offense, or a criminal offense against a child upon the completion of any sentence including imprisonment, probation, and parole, as stated below? Section 2. It is proposed that Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky be amended to read as follows: (1) Every citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen years who has resided in the state one year, and in the county six months, and the precinct in which he or she offers to vote sixty days next preceding the election, shall be a voter in said precinct and not elsewhere. No person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in this state. The following persons also shall not have the right to vote: (a)[1.] Persons convicted in any court of competent jurisdiction of treason,[ …
Sponsors
- Jared Bauman (R, HD-028) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
- : to Committee on Committees (H)
- : introduced in House
Subjects: Elections And Voting, Crimes And Punishments, Secretary Of State, Local Mandate, Civil Rights, Constitution, Ky., County Clerks
Common questions
- What is HB861?
- HB861 is a bill in the Kentucky Legislature (2026 Regular Session): AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
- What does HB861 do?
- In its own words: An act proposing an amendment to Section 145 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to restoration of rights.
- What is the status of HB861?
- In committee as of March 10, 2026. Latest action: to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H) (March 10, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB861?
- Jared Bauman (R, HD-028).
- Where is the official record for HB861?
- On the Kentucky Legislature website: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/26rs/hb861.html
Source: official Kentucky record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.