Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 48.025 – 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:
1. (a)
2. (b)
3. (c) "Local" means and includes any city, county, urban-county government, consolidated local government, unified local government, charter county government, school district, or special district; and "Resources" means any: 1. Moneys appropriated by the General Assembly; 2. Items of value, facilities, materials, and other physical resources derived from local, state, or federal tax dollars, including but not limited to computers, copiers, printers, paper, office supplies, and buildings; 3. Digital resources derived from or supported by local, state, or federal tax dollars, including but not limited to any official website, email account, or social media account; 4. Classified and unclassified employees, and other human resources 5. within the scope of their state employment; or Employees and other human resources within the scope of their school district employment; and Independent school district as defined in KRS 160.020; or "School district" means any: 1. County school district as defined in KRS 160.010; 2. 3. Regional educational cooperative organization formed by local boards of education or other public educational institutions listed in KRS 161.220(4), for the purpose of providing educational services to the participating organizations.
(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:
1. (a) Fined five hundred dollars ($500) for the first offense;
2. (b) Fined one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the second offense; and
3. (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:
1. (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
2. (b) An association advocating for or against 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. 1, effective July 15, 2026. -- Created 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 197, sec. 73, effective June 29, 2021.