AN ACT relating to public financing for judicial campaigns.
     Create new sections of KRS 118A to establish the clean judicial elections fund; define terms; establish fund to distribute transfers to certified judicial candidates; provide that the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance administer the fund and promulgate necessary administrative regulations; designate that moneys in the fund be invested in accordance with regulations developed by the State Investment Commission; require the registry to publish information about campaign expenditures in the judicial campaigns of the previous year; establish requirements to be designated a certified judicial candidate and gain access to the fund; provide guidelines for distribution of funds to certified judicial candidates; direct that judicial review of any final action of the registry be expedited by the court; provide for a civil penalty up to $10,000 for an actual violation of these provisions, and a Class D felony for any knowing violation of these provisions; provide that a person entitled to a state tax refund may designate on their income tax return an amount to be credited to the fund; permit the Supreme Court to require members of the Kentucky Bar Association to submit an annual fixed amount not to exceed $25 to be dedicated to the clean judicial elections fund; provide for a January 1, 2012 effective date.

     (Prefiled by the sponsor(s).)

     Oct 6-To: Interim Joint Committee on State Government
     Jan 4-introduced in House; to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
     Feb 10-posted in committee