Kentucky General Assembly
| Kentucky General Assembly | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 2, 2024 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Robert Stivers (R) |
| House Speaker: | David Osborne (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Damon Thayer (R) House: Steven Rudy (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Gerald Neal (D) House: Derrick Graham (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 38 (Senate), 100 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | The Legislative Department, Kentucky Constitution, Sec 29 |
| Salary: | $188.22/calendar day during session for legislators whose terms began before 2023. $203.28/calendar day for legislators whose terms began after 2023. + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Redistricting: | Kentucky Legislature has control |
Meeting place: | |
The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the state legislature of Kentucky. It is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the upper Kentucky State Senate and the lower Kentucky House of Representatives.
Section 33 of the Kentucky Constitution requires that the General Assembly divide the state into 38 Senate and 100 House districts. Districts are required to be as nearly equal in population as possible. Districts can be formed by joining more than one county, but the counties forming a district must be contiguous. Districts must be reviewed every 10 years and be re-divided if necessary.
Kentucky has a divided government where neither party holds a trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor, while the Republican Party controls both chambers of the state legislature.
Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the General Assembly.
Per section 30 of the Kentucky Constitution, senators are elected to four-year staggered terms, with half the Senate elected every two years.
As of the 2020 Census, Kentucky state senators represented an average of 118,667 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 114,490 residents.
Leadership
Prior to a 1992 constitutional amendment, the Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky presided over the Senate. The 1992 amendment created a new office of President of the Senate to be held by one of the 38 senators.
Partisan composition
| Party | As of November 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 7 | |
| Republican Party | 30 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 38 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Kentucky State Senate in 2000. In 2022, they won a 31-7 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Kentucky Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Kentucky State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 25 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Republicans | 13 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 30 | 31 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is the lower house of the General Assembly. Section 47 of the Kentucky Constitution stipulates that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives.
Per section 30 of the Kentucky Constitution, representatives are elected every two years in November following a regular session of the General Assembly.
As of the 2020 Census, Kentucky state representatives represented an average of 45,093 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 43,506 residents.
Partisan composition
| Party | As of November 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 20 | |
| Republican Party | 80 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 100 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Kentucky House of Representatives in 2016. In 2022, they won an 80-20 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Kentucky House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Kentucky House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 72 | 64 | 64 | 66 | 64 | 65 | 57 | 61 | 65 | 58 | 55 | 54 | 36 | 39 | 25 | 20 |
| Republicans | 28 | 36 | 36 | 34 | 36 | 35 | 43 | 39 | 35 | 42 | 45 | 46 | 64 | 61 | 75 | 80 |
Elections
2026
Elections for the Kentucky State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for the Kentucky State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was May 21, 2024. The filing deadline was January 5, 2024.
Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was May 21, 2024. The filing deadline was January 5, 2024.
2022
Elections for the Kentucky State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was January 25, 2022.
Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was January 25, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office of Kentucky State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was January 10, 2020.
Elections for the office of Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was January 10, 2020.
2018
Elections for the Kentucky State Senate took place in 2018. The closed primary election took place on May 22, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was January 30, 2018.[1]
Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2018. The closed primary election took place on May 22, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was January 30, 2018.[2]
2016
Elections for the Kentucky State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was January 26, 2016.
Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 17, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was January 26, 2016.
2014
Elections for the Kentucky State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 28, 2014.
Elections for the Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 28, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of Kentucky State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on May 22, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was January 31, 2012.
Elections for the office of Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on May 22, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was January 31, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Kentucky State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was January 26, 2010.
Elections for the office of Kentucky House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was January 26, 2010.
Sessions
Section 36 of the Kentucky Constitution establishes when the General Assembly is required to meet. Regular Sessions convene on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January. Sessions in odd-numbered years can last no more than 30 legislative days and must be concluded by March 30. Sessions in even-numbered years can last no more than 60 legislative days and must be concluded by April 15. The governor may call additional special sessions.[3][4]
Bills may be filed at any time the House and Senate Clerks' offices are open.[5] [6]
2024
In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2024, and adjourn on April 15, 2024.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on March 30, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2022, and adjourn on April 14, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2021, and adjourn on March 30, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 7, 2020, and adjourn on April 15, 2020.
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the Kentucky General Assembly suspended its session, effective April 8, 2020, through April 13, 2020. The legislature adjourned on April 15, 2020.[7] 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through March 29, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2018, through April 14, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2017, through March 30, 2017. The legislature held a veto session from March 16 to March 27. 2016
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 5 through April 15. Major issues in 2016Major issues in the 2016 legislative session included legislation regarding unions, repeal of the prevailing wage, teacher pensions, charter schools, and the budget.[8][9] 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 6 through March 23. Major issues in 2015Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included heroin abuse, telecom deregulation, and the solvency of the state teacher pension system.[10] 2014
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 7 to April 15. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included the biennial state budget, casino gambling, tax reform based on the recommendations of 2012 commission, and raising the minimum wage.[11] 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to March 26. Major issues in 2013Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included reforms to the state's tax code, pension plans for governmental retirees, legalization of casino style gambling, and redistricting.[12] 2012
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 3 through April 9. 2011
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 4 through April 9. A special session was held from March 14 to April 6. It focused on balancing the state's Medicaid budget. 2010
In 2010, the General Assembly was in session from January 5th to April 15th. |
Role in state budget
- See also: Kentucky state budget and finances
Kentucky on 
|
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[13]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in July of the year preceding the start of the biennium.
- State agencies submit their budget requests by November 15.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the legislature 10 legislative days after it convenes in early January.
- The state legislature adopts a budget in April. The biennium begins July 1.
Kentucky is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[13][14]
The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget proposal. The legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget.[13]
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Kentucky State Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Kentucky State Senate for the first nine years while the Republicans were the majority for the last 13 years.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
Kentucky State House of Representatives: During every year from 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Kentucky State House of Representatives.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Kentucky, the Kentucky State Senate and the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Kentucky state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Kentucky has been in the bottom-10 of the SQLI ranking regardless of its Democratic trifecta or years under divided government. The state’s highest ranking came in 1998 and 1999 (43rd) under a Democratic trifecta, while the state’s lowest ranking came in between the years 2003 and 2011 (48th) under divided government. As a result of the 2016 elections, Kentucky became a Republican trifecta for the first time in 96 years.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 45.00
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: N/A
- SQLI average with divided government: 47.31
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[15] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $188.22/calendar day during session for legislators whose terms began before 2023. $203.28/calendar day for legislators whose terms began after 2023. | $182.60/day |
Swearing in dates
Kentucky legislators assume office the first day of January after their election.[16]
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Kentucky
In Kentucky, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. District maps may be vetoed by the governor.[17]
Guidelines adopted in 1991 stipulate that congressional districts ought to be contiguous. In addition, county lines and communities of interest should be maintained if possible. These guidelines are not statutory; consequently, they may be amended by the legislature at its discretion.[17]
The Kentucky Constitution requires that state legislative districts "be contiguous ... and preserve whole counties where possible."[17]
2020
Kentucky adopted new state House district boundaries on January 20, 2022, after the general assembly overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) veto of the plan. The vote to override the governor’s veto was 24-10 in the state Senate with all votes in favor by Republicans and eight Democrats and two Republicans voting against. The override vote was 69-23 in the state House, with all votes in favor by Republicans and 22 Democrats and one Republican voting to sustain Beshear’s veto.[18] Gov. Beshear allowed the redistricting proposal for new state Senate districts to become law without his signature on January 21, 2022. That legislation had passed the state Senate on January 6, 2022, 28-4, and the state House on January 8, 2022, 67-23.[19]
Ryland Barton of National Public Radio affiliate WFPL wrote that, "The House map further divides several urban areas in the state and connects them with rural districts in surrounding areas."[20] Steve Rogers of WTVQ wrote that, "During debate on the legislative districts, especially the 100 House districts, Democrats objected that the GOP-drawn map unfairly split urban areas to the benefit of Republicans. The bill recasting the Senate’s 38 districts easily cleared the Senate, with a handful of lawmakers objecting."[21]
2010
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Kentucky are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? A majority of members in both chambers.
| A simple majority of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 51 of the 100 members in the Kentucky House of Representatives and 20 of the 38 members in the Kentucky State Senate. Kentucky is one of six states that requires a majority vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
Authority: The Executive Department, Section 88 of the Kentucky Constitution.
| "Every bill which shall have passed the two Houses shall be presented to the Governor. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it, with his objections, to the House in which it originated, which shall enter the objections in full upon its journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, a majority of all the members elected to that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be considered, and if approved by a majority of all the members elected to that House, it shall be a law; but in such case the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for and against the bill shall be entered upon the journal of each House respectively." |
Joint legislative committees
- See also: Public policy in Kentucky
In Kentucky, interim joint committees are created from the standing committees of both houses after the regular session has ended. They study issues in-depth and work on bills for the next regular session, which allows them to be immediately acted on.[22] A list of those committees can be found here.
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the Kentucky Constitution can be amended:
The Kentucky Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state constitution—a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Kentucky does not feature the power of initiative for either initiated constitutional amendments or initiated state statutes.
Legislature
A 60% vote is required during one legislative session for the Kentucky State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 60 votes in the Kentucky House of Representatives and 23 votes in the Kentucky Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. The Legislature cannot add more than four constitutional amendments to one election ballot.
Convention
According to the Kentucky Constitution, the state Legislature can vote to refer a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions of the Legislature to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot. Turnout for those voting 'yes' at the election must be equal to at least 25% of the qualified electors who voted at the last general election.
2025 measures:
- See also: 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.
- See also: Kentucky 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
| Kentucky Allow State Funding for Non-Public Education Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 23 | Yes votes: 27 (71%) | No votes: 8 (31%) | Yes: 0; No: 6 | Yes: 27; No: 2 |
| House: | Required: 60 | Yes votes: 65 (66.3%) | No votes: 32 (32.6%) | Yes: 0; No: 20 | Yes: 65; No: 12 |
| Kentucky Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment | Democrats | Republicans | |||
| Senate: | Required: 23 | Yes votes: 31 (81.6%) | No votes: 4 (10.5%) | Yes: 2; No: 4 | Yes: 29; No: 0 |
| House: | Required: 60 | Yes votes: 72 (73.5%) | No votes: 12 (12.2%) | Yes: 3; No: 12 | Yes: 69; No: 0 |
See also
| Elections | Kentucky State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Kentucky State Board of Elections, "2018 Kentucky Election Calendar," accessed June 1, 2017
- ↑ Kentucky State Board of Elections, "2018 Kentucky Election Calendar," accessed June 1, 2017
- ↑ Kentucky Legislature, "Kentucky Constitution - Section 36," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ Kentucky Legislature, homepage," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ Kentucky Legislature, "Rules of Procedure for the 2020 Regular Session of the Senate," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ Kentucky Legislature, "Rules of Procedure for the 2020 Regular Session of the House of Representatives," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ The Lebanon Enterprise, "General Assembly pulls together to pass a state budget," April 8, 2020
- ↑ WFPL, "Political Tension Starts Early in the Kentucky State House," January 6, 2016
- ↑ WKYT, "KY State legislature convenes as parties fight for power," January 5, 2016
- ↑ The Enquirer, "Ky. heroin bills raise hope, face skepticism," January 5, 2015
- ↑ wfpl.org, "What to Expect from the 2014 Kentucky General Assembly," January 7, 2014
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Lawmakers start Ky. session aiming for cooperation," January 8, 2013
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Kentucky Constitution, "Section 30," accessed February 10, 2021
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 All About Redistricting, "Kentucky," accessed April 29, 2015
- ↑ Kentucky General Assembly, "House Bill 2," accessed January 21, 2022
- ↑ Kentucky General Assembly, "Senate Bill 2," accessed January 21, 2022
- ↑ WFPL, "Lawmakers override Beshear vetoes, Dems sue to block redistricting maps," January 20, 2022
- ↑ WTVQ, "UPDATE: Legislature overrides congressional redistricting veto," January 20, 2022
- ↑ Kentucky Legislature, "Interim Joint Committees," accessed February 10, 2021
| |||||||||||