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Read. Follow. Verify.Kentucky legislature proposes constitutional amendment to limit state representatives to six terms and senators to four terms beginning in 2028
Last action · January 16, 2026: to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)Sponsors: Kim Banta and 1 other
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What This Bill Proposed
Kentucky lawmakers are advancing a that would cap members of the Kentucky House of Representatives at six terms and members of the Kentucky Senate at four terms, starting with the November 2028 elections. The proposed amendment requires voter ratification on the ballot, and directs the Secretary of State to publish and certify the ballot question to county clerks.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
General Assembly members
Lawmakers are subject to new lifetime limits on the number of terms they can serve in the Kentucky House or Senate.
Kentucky voters
Key Facts
- Limits members of the Kentucky House of Representatives to a maximum of six terms of office.
- Limits members of the Kentucky Senate to a maximum of four terms of office.
- Applies the term limits to candidates receiving a certificate of election following the regular election in November 2028 or thereafter.
- Exempts terms completed prior to January 1, 2029, for representatives and odd-numbered senatorial districts, and prior to January 1, 2031, for even-numbered senatorial districts.
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- Excludes partial terms resulting from special elections to fill a vacancy from eligibility determinations unless the partial term is two full years or more.
- Counts a full term against the limit if an official is elected in a regularly scheduled election and resigns prior to completion.
- Requires the amendment to be submitted to Kentucky voters for ratification or rejection at a regular election.
- Requires the Secretary of State to publish the question and proposed amendment in a newspaper of general circulation no later than the first Tuesday in August preceding the election.
- Requires the Secretary of State to certify the question and amendment to county clerks by specified dates in August or September depending on whether it is a presidential election year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When would the proposed term limits take effect?
Do partial terms count toward the term limits?
What happens if a lawmaker resigns before finishing their term?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 16, 2026HouseCommitteeto Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
- Jan 9, 2026HouseIntroducedintroduced in House to Committee on Committees (H)
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
apps.legislature.ky.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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