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Bill

HB 413

AN ACT proposing an amendment to Sections 71 and 82 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to term limits for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kim Holloway and 3 co-sponsors

Imposes constitutional term limits on the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, specifying how many terms they may serve and how terms are counted.

to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
#constitution #ky. #countyclerks #governor #lieutenantgovernor #localmandate #secretaryofstate
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 413

Overview

HB 413 (2026 Regular Session, Kentucky) proposes an amendment to Sections 71 and 82 of the Kentucky Constitution to address term limits for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The bill seeks to change how long individuals may serve in these executive roles and how terms are counted.

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish or modify constitutional term limits for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
  • Define the duration and/or counting method of terms to clarify how many terms a person may serve in these offices.
  • Provide a constitutional framework to constrain perpetual incumbency in the Governor/Lieutenant Governor offices.

Key provisions (as implied by the bill’s title and subject)

  • Constitutional amendment language altering Sections 71 and 82 of the Kentucky Constitution.
  • Specifications on:
    • How many terms a Governor and Lieutenant Governor can serve (e.g., number of consecutive terms allowed, whether non-consecutive terms reset the limit, etc.).
    • Whether term limits apply to joint tickets (Governor/Lieutenant Governor) or separately.
    • Any provisions regarding succession, special elections, or transitional rules if term limits are changed.
  • Clarifications on when the term limits would take effect (e.g., whether applying to terms starting after the amendment’s adoption, or to terms in progress as of enactment).

Who would be affected

  • Individuals currently holding or seeking the offices of Governor or Lieutenant Governor.
  • Prospective candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
  • State governance dynamics, including succession planning and political campaigns.
  • Electoral law and state government operations, given the constitutional nature of term limits.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Action history:
    • January 15, 2026: Introduced in the Kentucky House.
    • January 15, 2026: Referred to Committee on Committees (H).
    • January 23, 2026: Referred to the Elections, Constitutional Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H) committee.
  • Next steps (typical process for a constitutional amendment):
    • Passage by both chambers of the Kentucky General Assembly (House and Senate) with a supermajority.
    • Submission to voters for ratification in a statewide election or as provided by Kentucky amendment procedures.
    • If ratified, amendment becomes part of the Kentucky Constitution and binding on future terms.

Potential impact and considerations

  • If enacted, the amendment would cap the number of terms for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, altering long-term incumbency patterns and potential leadership succession.
  • Could influence political strategy, candidate funding, and campaign dynamics for statewide executive offices.
  • The constitutional nature of the change means a high-level, enduring modification that would guide future eligibility regardless of statute.
  • Any implementation details (e.g., whether term limits apply to current officeholders or only future terms) would be determined by the exact language of the amendment and any transitional provisions.

Notes

  • The available information does not include the exact text of the proposed amendment. For precise details on the term limits (numbers of terms, counting rules, applicability to current officeholders, and transition provisions), the bill’s full language and any fiscal or legal impact statements would be necessary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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