AN ACT proposing an amendment to Section 29 of the Constitution of Kentucky relating to citizen ballot initiatives.
Summary
HB335 proposes a constitutional amendment to Section 29 of the Kentucky Constitution to create a citizen initiative process for proposing laws directly to voters. Under the amendment, citizens could place a measure on the ballot by filing a petition containing the full text of the proposed law and signatures equal to at least 2% of the state population based on the most recent decennial census. The proposal requires initiative petitions to contain only one subject and bars them from targeting a particular class of individuals. It also directs the Secretary of State to submit qualifying measures to voters at the next regular election, and provides that a majority vote would enact the measure.
The amendment further states that the Governor’s veto would not apply to measures reserved to the people through the initiative process. It also authorizes the General Assembly to enact general laws to facilitate and safeguard the initiative process, but not to hamper, restrict, or impair it. Separate provisions govern publication of the ballot question and certification to county clerks so the amendment can appear on the ballot for voter ratification or rejection.
Impact
If adopted, HB335 would significantly alter Kentucky’s constitutional structure by adding a direct-democracy mechanism that currently does not exist in Section 29. It would create a new pathway for citizens to propose and enact laws independent of the General Assembly, while also limiting that power through a signature threshold, a single-subject rule, and a prohibition on measures targeting a particular class of individuals. The bill would also require the Secretary of State and county clerks to follow specific publication, certification, and ballot-placement procedures for the constitutional amendment itself.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of committee transcripts or recorded votes, the available record does not show formal legislative debate or a documented vote pattern. The measure’s framing suggests a pro-citizen-initiative posture, emphasizing voter power and limiting legislative interference. Because no discussion snippets are provided, there is no evidence here of bipartisan support, opposition, or amendments in committee.
Contention
The main points of contention likely center on the creation of a citizen initiative process in a state whose constitution currently vests legislative power in the General Assembly, and on the scope of limits placed on that process. Potentially disputed issues include the 2% signature requirement, the single-subject rule, the ban on targeting a particular class of individuals, and the provision preventing the Governor’s veto from applying to initiative measures. Another likely point of debate is whether the General Assembly should retain authority to regulate the process through general law, and how much that authority could be used without undermining the initiative power.