KRS § 65.013 Local, state, and federal tax dollars and resources not to be used to advocate for or against public question on ballot -- Penalties -- Exemptions. (Effective July 15, 2026)

65.013 Local, state, and federal tax dollars and resources not to be used to advocate for or against public question on ballot -- Penalties -- Exemptions. (Effective July 15, 2026) (1) As used in this section: (a) "Local" means any city, county, urban-county government, consolidated local government, unified local government, charter county government, or special district; and (b) "Resources" has the same meaning as in KRS 48.025. (2) Local, state, and federal tax dollars and resources shall not be used to advocate for or against any public question that appears on the ballot. (3) Any person who violates subsection (2) of this section shall be: (a) Fined five hundred dollars ($500) for the first offense; (b) Fined one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the second offense; and (c) Guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and fined one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each subsequent offense. (4) This section shall not prohibit a public employee who is not otherwise prohibited under another provision of law from advocating for or against a public question appearing on the ballot on his or her personal time using nongovernment resources. (5) This section shall not apply to: (a) Educational television operating in accordance with KRS Chapter 168, so long as equal opportunity is given to both sides of the public question; or (b) An association advocating for a ballot initiative that directly applies to its members, so long as no funds authorized or appropriated by local, state, or federal tax dollars or resources are expended for that purpose. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 155, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2026. -- Created 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 197, sec. 74, effective June 29, 2021.