A CITIZENS’ GUIDE
TO THE
KENTUCKY CONSTITUTION
Compiled by
Laura Hromyak Hendrix
Edited by
Tom Lewis
Contributing LRC Staff
For Current Revision
Sandy Deaton
Terry Jones
Norman Lawson
Joyce Crofts
Jamie Jo Franklin
Scott Varland
Judy Fritz
Terisa Roland
Research Report No. 137
Legislative Research Commission
Frankfort, Kentucky
Revised October 2005
Paid for with state funds. Available in alternative form by request.
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FOREWORD
This publication was first printed in August 1977 in response to a directive by the Legislative
Research Commission to provide information on the Kentucky Constitution. The question of
calling a constitutional convention was on the ballot in November 1977, and the purpose of this
study was to present the substance of the Constitution, the historical background of the present
Constitution, and the court decisions and proposed revisions which have occurred since 1891.
Requests for this publication have continued steadily, prompting the preparation of revised
editions. This sixth edition incorporates into the previous information constitutional changes
through November 2004.
Many people in state government, the academic community, and professional life were
consulted in the gathering of information for this publication in its first printing, and these
contributions are greatly appreciated and acknowledged.
Robert Sherman
Director
Legislative Research Commission
Frankfort, Kentucky
October 2005
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CONTENTS
FOREWORD.................................................................................................................................. i
I.
INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................1
Anita Taylor
II. PREAMBLE OF THE CONSTITUTION.......................................................................3
Mary Helen Miller
III. BILL OF RIGHTS .............................................................................................................5
Mary Helen Miller
IV. DISTRIBUTION OF POWERS .....