AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 29 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to citizen ballot initiatives.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Berg

SB 264 would amend Kentucky’s Constitution to change rules for citizen ballot initiatives, including who can sponsor and how many signatures are required to place a measure on the

to Committee on Committees (S)

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Summary of SB 264 (2026 Regular Session – Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

SB 264 proposes an amendment to Section 29 of the Kentucky Constitution to address citizen ballot initiatives. The bill seeks to change constitutional requirements governing the initiation, qualification, or conduct of citizen-driven ballot measures, with the aim of altering how Kentucky residents can place laws or constitutional amendments before voters.

Key provisions and changes (as a constitutional amendment proposal)

The bill would modify Section 29 of the Kentucky Constitution, which governs citizen ballot initiatives. While the exact text of the amendment is not provided in the summary, typical constitutional initiative proposals address:

Eligibility criteria for sponsors or proponents of a ballot measure.
Signatures required to place an initiative on the ballot (e.g., number or percentage of qualified voters).
Verification, qualification, and ballot-access procedures.
Timing and placement on the ballot, including deadlines and election cycles.
Any restrictions or protections related to initiative processes (e.g., funding disclosures, conflict-of-interest provisions).

Note: The available information specifies only that SB 264 is an act proposing an amendment to Section 29 of the Constitution of Kentucky related to citizen ballot initiatives. The exact language of the proposed amendment and specific procedural changes are not provided in the summary.

Who or what would be affected

Voters in Kentucky who participate in citizen ballot initiatives would be directly affected, as the amendment would set the rules for how initiatives can be initiated and placed on the ballot.

Citizens who sponsor or advocate for ballot measures would be impacted by any changes to signature thresholds, eligibility, and timelines.

State and local election officials would be responsible for implementing and administering the revised initiative process in accordance with the amended constitutional provisions.

Potentially, groups seeking to place constitutional amendments or statutory changes before voters would need to adjust planning and outreach to meet new requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Introduced in the Senate on February 26, 2026, and referred to the Committee on Committees (S), indicating the bill is at an early stage and awaiting committee review.

Next steps, if advanced: The committee would typically assess the bill’s constitutional implications, solicit expert and public input, and decide whether to report the measure to the full Senate for consideration, potentially followed by House action and, if adopted, a statewide referendum to ratify the constitutional amendment.

As a constitutional amendment, the proposal would require approval by the General Assembly and, depending on Kentucky’s constitutional amendment process, likely a subsequent statewide vote to be ratified.

Additional notes

The summary lacks the specific proposed constitutional language, which is essential to assess the exact changes, including signature thresholds, deadlines, and any new restrictions or procedural reforms.

Readers should watch for committee briefing materials or the bill’s full text for precise details on how Section 29 would be amended and the practical implications for future ballot initiatives in Kentucky.