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HB 136KENTUCKYSession 2026RSState BillSigned into law

Enacted

Kentucky regulates campaign fund security expenses and candidate contributions

Original title: AN ACT relating to campaign finance.

Last action · April 3, 2026: signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 25)Sponsors: Wade Williams and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Kentucky law now permits candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds for reasonable security measures and specific legal fees, while setting strict rules on allowable expenditures and contribution limits. The measure takes effect following its April 3, 2026 enactment.

Why it matters

Candidates and elected officials gain clear authorization to spend campaign funds on alarms, cybersecurity, security personnel, and legal defense fees related to official duties or campaigns.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Candidates and Officeholders

Candidates and officeholders gain explicit permission to use campaign funds for security measures and specific legal fees, while facing compliance rules and repayment penalties for improper expenditures.

Directly affected

Members of the General Assembly

Legislators are granted specific authority to contribute up to $5,000 annually to party committees and attend approved educational courses or conferences using campaign funds.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can candidates use campaign money to pay for home security systems?

Yes, candidates and officeholders may use campaign funds for reasonable security measures like alarm systems, cameras, fencing, and cybersecurity software if the threats stem directly from their public status or duties.

What happens if campaign funds are spent on unapproved personal items?

For unknowing violations, the violator must repay the misused amount within 30 days. If unpaid, penalties of up to $100 per day can be assessed up to a maximum of $1,000. Knowing violations can also trigger criminal referrals.

Are members of the General Assembly allowed to contribute to political parties from their campaign accounts?

Yes, members may contribute up to $5,000 per year to a political party or , and may contribute directly to other candidates until their funds are exhausted.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

14 actions

Apr 3, 2026HouseEnrolled
signed by Governor (Acts Ch. 25)
Mar 26, 2026HouseEnrolled
received in House enrolled, signed by Speaker of the House enrolled, signed by President of the Senate delivered to Governor
Mar 25, 2026HouseFloor
3rd reading, passed 38-0
Mar 24, 2026House
passed over and retained in the Consent Orders of the Day
Mar 20, 2026House
posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Tuesday, March 24 2026
Mar 19, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules as a consent bill

Show 8 earlier actions

Mar 18, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
Mar 16, 2026SenateCommittee
to State & Local Government (S)
Feb 18, 2026SenateIntroduced
received in Senate to Committee on Committees (S)
Feb 17, 2026HouseFloor
3rd reading, passed 97-0 with Committee Substitute (1)
Feb 13, 2026HouseFloor
2nd reading, to Rules posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Tuesday, February 17 2026
Feb 12, 2026House
reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute (1)
Jan 14, 2026HouseCommittee
to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
introduced 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.

Connected Entities

Speaker of the House of Representatives, General Assembly, Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission and 1 more

PersonSpeaker of the House of Representatives“Authorizes member attendance at conferences and seminars”Map →

OrganizationGeneral Assembly“Enacted the legislation”Map →

OrganizationKentucky Legislative Ethics Commission“Mentioned regarding legal fees for defense matters”Map →

PersonPresident of the Senate“Authorizes member attendance at conferences and seminars”Map →

Sources

Open source document

apps.legislature.ky.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy25
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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