FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Ky. Const. art. I, § 72 — Article I / Section 72
Ky. Const. § 72
Status: in_force

Section 72   Qualifications of Governor and Lieutenant Governor -- Duties of 
Lieutenant Governor. 
 
The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor shall be at least thirty years of age, and 
have been citizens and residents of Kentucky for at least six years next preceding their 
election. The duties of the Lieutenant Governor shall be prescribed by law, and he shall 
have such other duties as delegated by the Governor. 
Text as Ratified on:  November 3, 1992. 
History:  1992 amendment was proposed by 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 3; original 
version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 240 — Article I / Section 240
Ky. Const. § 240
Status: in_force

Section 240   Pardon of person convicted of dueling. 
 
The Governor shall have power, after five years from the time of the offense, to 
pardon any person who shall have participated in a duel as principal, second or otherwise, 
and to restore him to all the rights, privileges and immunities to which he was entitled 
before such participation. Upon presentation of such pardon the oath prescribed in 
Section 228 shall be varied to suit the case. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 194 — Article I / Section 194
Ky. Const. § 194
Status: in_force

Section 194   (Repealed 2002) 
 
Catchline at time of repeal:  "Corporations to have place of business and process 
agent in State." 
Repeal Ratified on:  November 5, 2002 
History:  Repeal was proposed by 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 341, sec. 2; original version ratified 
August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 73 — Article I / Section 73
Ky. Const. § 73
Status: in_force

Section 73   When terms of Governor and Lieutenant Governor begin. 
 
The Governor and the Lieutenant Governor shall commence the execution of the 
duties of their offices on the fifth Tuesday succeeding their election, and shall continue in 
the execution thereof until a successor shall have qualified. 
Text as Ratified on:  November 3, 1992. 
History:  1992 amendment was proposed by 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 4; original 
version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 220 — Article I / Section 220
Ky. Const. § 220
Status: in_force

Section 220   General Assembly to provide for militia -- Exemptions from service. 
 
The General Assembly shall provide for maintaining an organized militia, and may 
exempt from military service persons having conscientious scruples against bearing arms; 
but such persons shall pay an equivalent for such exemption. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 259 — Article I / Section 259
Ky. Const. § 259
Status: in_force

Section 259   Number and qualifications of delegates. 
 
The Convention shall consist of as many delegates as there are members of the 
House of Representatives; and the delegates shall have the same qualifications and be 
elected from the same districts as said Representatives. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 105 — Article I / Section 105
Ky. Const. § 105
Status: in_force

Section 105   Consolidation of offices of sheriff and jailer. 
 
The General Assembly may, at any time, consolidate the offices of Jailer and Sheriff 
in any county or counties, as it shall deem most expedient; but in the event such 
consolidation be made, the office of Sheriff shall be retained, and the Sheriff shall be 
required to perform the duties of Jailer. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 52 — Article I / Section 52
Ky. Const. § 52
Status: in_force

Section 52   General Assembly may not release debt to State or to county or city. 
 
The General Assembly shall have no power to release, extinguish or authorize the 
releasing or extinguishing, in whole or in part, the indebtedness or liability of any 
corporation or individual to this Commonwealth, or to any county or municipality thereof. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 113 — Article I / Section 113
Ky. Const. § 113
Status: in_force

Section 113   Location -- Districts -- Composition -- Administration -- Trial 
commissioners -- Jurisdiction. 
 
(1)  District Court shall be held in each county. 
 
(2)  The Circuit Court districts existing on the effective date of this amendment 
shall continue for District Court purposes under the name "Judicial Districts," the General 
Assembly having power upon certification of the necessity therefor by the Supreme Court 
to reduce, increase or rearrange the districts.  A judicial district composed of more than 
one county shall be as compact in form as possible and of contiguous counties.  No 
county shall be divided in creating a judicial district. 
 
(3)  Each judicial district created by this amendment initially shall have at least one 
district judge who shall serve as chief judge and there shall be such other district judges 
as the General Assembly shall determine.  The number of district judges in each judicial 
district thereafter shall be determined by the General Assembly upon certification of 
necessity therefor by the Supreme Court. 
 
(4)  In a judicial district having only one judge he shall be the chief judge.  In those 
districts having two or more judges they shall select biennially a chief judge and if they 
fail to do so within a reasonable time, the Supreme Court shall designate the chief judge.  
The chief judge shall exercise such authority and perform such duties in the 
administration of his district as may be prescribed by the Supreme Court. 
 
(5)  In any county in which no district judge resides the chief judge of the district 
shall appoint a trial commissioner who shall be a resident of such county and who shall 
be an attorney if one is qualified and available.  Other trial commissioners with like 
qualifications may be appointed by the chief judge in any judicial district upon 
certification of the necessity therefor by the Supreme Court.  All trial commissioners shall 
have power to perform such duties of the district court as may be prescribed by the 
Supreme Court. 
 
(6)  The district court shall be a court of limited jurisdiction and shall exercise 
original jurisdiction as may be provided by the General Assembly. 
Text as Ratified on:  November 4, 1975, effective January 1, 1976. 
History:  Repeal and reenactment proposed by 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 84, sec. 1; original 
version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 188 — Article I / Section 188
Ky. Const. § 188
Status: in_force

Section 188   Refund of Federal direct tax part of school fund -- Irredeemable bond. 
 
So much of any moneys as may be received by the Commonwealth from the United 
States under the recent act of Congress refunding the direct tax shall become a part of the 
school fund, and be held as provided in Section 184; but the General Assembly may 
authorize the use, by the Commonwealth, of moneys so received or any part thereof, in 
which event a bond shall be executed to the Board of Education for the amount so used, 
which bond shall be held on the same terms and conditions, and subject to the provisions 
of Section 184, concerning the bond therein referred to. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 160 — Article I / Section 160
Ky. Const. § 160
Status: in_force

Section 160   Municipal officers -- Election and term of office -- Officers ineligible -- 
Fiscal officers. 
 
The Mayor or Chief Executive, Police Judges, members of legislative boards or 
councils of towns and cities shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof: Provided, The 
Mayor or Chief Executive and Police Judges of the towns of the fourth, fifth and sixth 
classes may be appointed or elected as provided by law. The terms of office of Mayors or 
Chief Executives and Police Judges shall be four years, and until their successors shall be 
qualified, and of members of legislative boards, two years. When any city of the first or 
second class is divided into wards or districts, members of legislative boards shall be 
elected at large by the qualified voters of said city, but so selected that an equal 
proportion thereof shall reside in each of the said wards or districts; but when in any city 
of the first, second or third class, there are two legislative boards, the less numerous shall 
be selected from and elected by the voters at large of said city; but other officers of towns 
or cities shall be elected by the qualified voters therein, or appointed by the local 
authorities thereof, as the General Assembly may, by a general law, provide; but when 
elected by the voters of a town or city, their terms of office shall be four years, and until 
their successors shall be qualified. No Mayor or Chief Executive of any city of the first or 
second class, after the expiration of three successive terms of office to which he has been 
elected under this Constitution shall be eligible for the succeeding term. No fiscal officer 
of any city of the first or second class, after the expiration of the term of office to which 
he has been elected under this Constitution, shall be eligible for the succeeding term. 
"Fiscal officer" shall not include an Auditor or Assessor, or any other officer whose chief 
duty is not the collection or holding of public moneys. The General Assembly shall 
prescribe the qualifications of all officers of towns and cities, the manner in and causes 
for which they may be removed from office, and how vacancies in such offices may be 
filled. 
Text as Ratified on:  November 6, 1986. 
History:  1986 amendment was proposed by 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 140, sec. 1; original 
version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 213 — Article I / Section 213
Ky. Const. § 213
Status: in_force

Section 213   Railroad companies to handle traffic with connecting carriers without 
discrimination. 
 
All railroad, transfer, belt lines and railway bridge companies organized under the 
laws of Kentucky, or operating, maintaining or controlling any railroad, transfer, belt 
lines or bridges, or doing a railway business in this State, shall receive, transfer, deliver 
and switch empty or loaded cars, and shall move, transport, receive, load or unload all the 
freight in car loads or less quantities, coming to or going from any railroad, transfer, belt 
line, bridge or siding thereon, with equal promptness and dispatch, and without any 
discrimination as to charges, preference, drawback or rebate in favor of any person, 
corporation, consignee or consignor, in any matter as to payment, transportation, handling 
or delivery; and shall so receive, deliver, transfer and transport all freight as above set 
forth, from and to any point where there is a physical connection between the tracks of 
said companies. But this section shall not be construed as requiring any such common 
carrier to allow the use of its tracks for the trains of another engaged in like business. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 110 — Article I / Section 110
Ky. Const. § 110
Status: in_force

Section 110   Composition -- Jurisdiction -- Quorum -- Special justices -- Districts -- 
Chief Justice. 
 
(1)  The Supreme Court shall consist of the Chief Justice of the Commonwealth and 
six associate Justices. 
 
(2) (a)  The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only, except it shall 
have the power to issue all writs necessary in aid of its appellate jurisdiction, or the 
complete determination of any cause, or as may be required to exercise control of the 
Court of Justice. 
 
(b)  Appeals from a judgment of the Circuit Court imposing a sentence of death or 
life imprisonment or imprisonment for twenty years or more shall be taken directly to the 
Supreme Court.  In all other cases, criminal and civil, the Supreme Court shall exercise 
appellate jurisdiction as provided by its rules. 
 
(3)  A majority of the Justices of the Supreme Court shall constitute a quorum for 
the transaction of business.  If as many as two Justices decline or are unable to sit in the 
trial of any cause, the Chief Justice shall certify that fact to the Governor, who shall 
appoint to try the particular cause a sufficient number of Justices to constitute a full court 
for the trial of the cause. 
 
(4)  The Court of Appeals districts existing on the effective date of this amendment 
to the Constitution shall constitute the initial Supreme Court districts.  The General 
Assembly thereafter may redistrict the Commonwealth, by counties, into seven Supreme 
Court districts as nearly equal in population and as compact in form as possible.  There 
shall be one Justice from each Supreme Court district. 
 
(5) (a)  The Justices of the Supreme Court shall elect one of their number to serve as 
Chief Justice for a term of four years. 
 
(b)  The Chief Justice of the Commonwealth shall be the executive head of the 
Court of Justice and he shall appoint such administrative assistants as he deems 
necessary.  He shall assign temporarily any justice or judge of the Commonwealth, active 
or retired, to sit in any court other than the Supreme Court when he deems such 
assignment necessary for the prompt disposition of causes.  The Chief Justice shall 
submit the budget for the Court of Justice and perform all other necessary administrative 
functions relating to the court. 
Text as Ratified on:  November 4, 1975, effective January 1, 1976. 
History:  Repeal and reenactment proposed by 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 84, sec. 1; original 
version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 214 — Article I / Section 214
Ky. Const. § 214
Status: in_force

Section 214   Railroad not to make exclusive or preferential contract. 
 
No railway, transfer, belt line or railway bridge company shall make any exclusive 
or preferential contract or arrangement with any individual, association or corporation, for 
the receipt, transfer, delivery, transportation, handling, care or custody of any freight, or 
for the conduct of any business as a common carrier. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 144 — Article I / Section 144
Ky. Const. § 144
Status: in_force

Section 144   Fiscal Court for each county --  To consist of Justices of the Peace or 
Commissioners, and County Judge -- Quorum. 
 
Counties shall have a Fiscal Court, which may consist of the Judge of the County 
Court and the Justices of the Peace, in which Court the Judge of the County Court shall 
preside, if present; or a county may have three Commissioners, to be elected from the 
county at large, who, together with the Judge of the County Court, shall constitute the 
Fiscal Court. A majority of the members of said Court shall constitute a Court for the 
transaction of business. But where, for county governmental purposes, a city is by law 
separated from the remainder of the county, such Commissioners may be elected from the 
part of the county outside of such city. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 177 — Article I / Section 177
Ky. Const. § 177
Status: in_force

Section 177   Commonwealth not to lend credit, nor become stockholder in 
corporation, nor build railroad or highway. 
 
The credit of the Commonwealth shall not be given, pledged or loaned to any 
individual, company, corporation or association, municipality, or political subdivision of 
the State; nor shall the Commonwealth become an owner or stockholder in, nor make 
donation to, any company, association or corporation; nor shall the Commonwealth 
construct a railroad or other highway. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 251 — Article I / Section 251
Ky. Const. § 251
Status: in_force

Section 251   Limitation of actions to recover possession of land based on early 
patents. 
 
No action shall be maintained for possession of any lands lying within this State, 
where it is necessary for the claimant to rely for his recovery on any grant or patent issued 
by the Commonwealth of Virginia, or by the Commonwealth of Kentucky prior to the 
year one thousand eight hundred and twenty, against any person claiming such lands by 
possession to a well-defined boundary, under a title of record, unless such action shall be 
instituted within five years after this Constitution shall go into effect, or within five years 
after the occupant may take possession; but nothing herein shall be construed to affect 
any right, title or interest in lands acquired by virtue of adverse possession under the laws 
of this Commonwealth. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 76 — Article I / Section 76
Ky. Const. § 76
Status: in_force

Section 76   Power of Governor to fill vacancies. 
 
He shall have the power, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, to fill 
vacancies by granting commissions, which shall expire when such vacancies shall have 
been filled according to the provisions of this Constitution. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 7 — Article I / Section 7
Ky. Const. § 7
Status: in_force

Section 7   Right of trial by jury. 
 
The ancient mode of trial by jury shall be held sacred, and the right thereof remain 
inviolate, subject to such modifications as may be authorized by this Constitution. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 189 — Article I / Section 189
Ky. Const. § 189
Status: in_force

Section 189   School money not to be used for church, sectarian, or denominational 
school. 
 
No portion of any fund or tax now existing, or that may hereafter be raised or levied 
for educational purposes, shall be appropriated to, or used by, or in aid of, any church, 
sectarian or denominational school. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 26 — Article I / Section 26
Ky. Const. § 26
Status: in_force

Section 26   General powers subordinate to Bill of Rights -- Laws contrary thereto 
are void. 
 
To guard against transgression of the high powers which we have delegated, We 
Declare that every thing in this Bill of Rights is excepted out of the general powers of 
government, and shall forever remain inviolate; and all laws contrary thereto, or contrary 
to this Constitution, shall be void. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 91 — Article I / Section 91
Ky. Const. § 91
Status: in_force

Section 91   Constitutional State officers -- Election -- Qualifications -- Term of 
office -- Duties -- Secretary of State to record acts of Governor and report 
them to General Assembly. 
 
A Treasurer, Auditor of Public Accounts, Commissioner of Agriculture, Labor and 
Statistics, Secretary of State, and Attorney-General, shall be elected by the qualified 
voters of the State at the same time the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected, for 
the term of four years, each of whom shall be at least thirty years of age at the time of his 
election, and shall have been a resident citizen of the State at least two years next before 
his election. The duties of all these officers shall be such as may be prescribed by law, 
and the Secretary of State shall keep a fair register of and attest all the official acts of the 
Governor, and shall, when required, lay the same and all papers, minutes and vouchers 
relative thereto before either House of the General Assembly. The officers named in this 
section shall enter upon the discharge of their duties the first Monday in January after 
their election, and shall hold their offices until their successors are elected and qualified. 
Text as Ratified on:  November 3, 1992. 
History:  1992 amendment was proposed by 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 11; original 
version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 114 — Article I / Section 114
Ky. Const. § 114
Status: in_force

Section 114   Selection -- Removal. 
 
(1)  The Supreme Court shall appoint a clerk to serve as it shall determine. 
 
(2)  The Court of Appeals shall appoint a clerk to serve as it shall determine. 
 
(3)  The clerks of the Circuit Court shall be elected in the manner provided 
elsewhere in this Constitution.  The clerks of the Circuit Court shall serve as the clerks of 
the District Court.  The clerks of the Circuit Court shall be removable from office by the 
Supreme Court upon good cause shown. 
Text as Ratified on:  November 4, 1975, effective January 1, 1976. 
History:  Repeal and reenactment proposed by 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 84, sec. 1; original 
version ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 155 — Article I / Section 155
Ky. Const. § 155
Status: in_force

Section 155   School elections not governed by Constitution. 
 
The provisions of Sections 145 to 154, inclusive, shall not apply to the election of 
school trustees and other common school district elections. Said elections shall be 
regulated by the General Assembly, except as otherwise provided in this Constitution. No 
person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to vote in said elections. 
Text as Ratified on:  November 5, 2024. 
History:  2024 amendment was proposed by 2024 Ky. Acts ch. 7, sec. 3; original version 
ratified August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 79 — Article I / Section 79
Ky. Const. § 79
Status: in_force

Section 79   Reports and recommendations to General Assembly. 
 
He shall, from time to time, give to the General Assembly information of the state 
of the Commonwealth, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he may 
deem expedient. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.
Ky. Const. art. I, § 3 — Article I / Section 3
Ky. Const. § 3
Status: in_force

Section 3   Men are equal -- No exclusive grant except for public services -- Property 
not to be exempted from taxation -- Grants revocable. 
 
All men, when they form a social compact, are equal; and no grant of exclusive, 
separate public emoluments or privileges shall be made to any man or set of men, except 
in consideration of public services; but no property shall be exempt from taxation except 
as provided in this Constitution, and every grant of a franchise, privilege or exemption, 
shall remain subject to revocation, alteration or amendment. 
Text as Ratified on:  August 3, 1891, and revised September 28, 1891. 
History:  Not yet amended.