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.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Nemes and 1 co-sponsor

Censure of Justice Kelly Thompson and referral of a complaint to the Judicial Conduct Commission to initiate disciplinary proceedings over alleged intemperate, threatening remarks

adopted by voice vote

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Summary of SR 305 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

SR 305 is a Senate resolution that censure Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson for alleged intemperate remarks. The remarks allegedly threatened attorneys and legislators who were participating in pending impeachment proceedings with professional discipline and criminal prosecution.

The resolution directs action to be taken on the conduct of Justice Thompson by initiating disciplinary processes through the Judicial Conduct Commission (JCC).

Key provisions and changes

Censure of Justice Kelly Thompson: The resolution formally censures Justice Thompson for statements described as intemperate and threatening toward participants in impeachment proceedings.

Directs complaint to the Judicial Conduct Commission: The resolution requests that a complaint be filed with the JCC to address Justice Thompson’s conduct, initiating a formal (and presumably confidential) inquiry or disciplinary process under Kentucky judicial conduct rules.

No changes to statutory law: The resolution does not amend statutes or create new criminal penalties; rather, it triggers a judicial-ethics process via the JCC and expresses the Senate’s formal condemnation.

Who or what would be affected

Justice Kelly Thompson: The primary subject of the censure and the target of the JCC complaint.

Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission: Responsible for reviewing the filed complaint, determining whether professional misconduct occurred, and imposing appropriate sanctions if warranted.

Attorneys, legislators, and participants in impeachment proceedings: The resolution references these individuals as those who were allegedly threatened; the behavior in question directly concerns their protection under professional conduct standards.

The broader judiciary and legislative process in Kentucky: The resolution signals legislative oversight and a stance on professional conduct standards for high-ranking judicial officers.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and action:

Introduced in the Kentucky Senate on April 15, 2026.
Assigned to the Committee on Committees (S) on the same date.
The bill was adopted by voice vote on April 15, 2026.

Next steps (external to the interim text provided):

As a resolution, SR 305 could lead to the filing of a formal complaint with the JCC.
The JCC would conduct a confidential investigation into the allegations of misconduct.
Depending on findings, the JCC might recommend sanctions or disciplinary measures consistent with Kentucky judicial ethics rules, which could include censure, suspension, removal, or other remedies as allowed by law.

Notes

SR 305 is a non-binding resolution that nevertheless triggers an official ethics complaint process against a sitting high-ranking judge.

The resolution emphasizes accountability within the judiciary and protects participants in impeachment proceedings from professional or criminal threats.

The summary reflects only the information provided; actual text may contain detailed findings, recitals, or procedural directives accompanying the complaint request.