Committee gives favorable consideration to House Concurrent Resolution 67 to form voting-rights restoration task force

The Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee gave favorable consideration Wednesday to House Concurrent Resolution 67, which would create a Kentucky Restoration of Voting Rights Act task force to study whether and how people with prior convictions should regain the right to vote.

Sponsor Representative Emily Callaway, R-30th, told the committee the task force would focus “that individuals who have spent time, have served their time, have, exhibited evidence of rehabilitation ready to reenter society” and consider whether they should have voting rights restored. She said the measure is intended to ensure the topic “gets the attention that it deserves.”

Callaway described a broader, multi‑member panel in her House version: two members from the House, two from the Senate, the secretary of state or designee, the attorney general or designee, a Department of Corrections representative and a representative of the State Board of Elections, plus representatives of advocacy organizations. She said she has been consulting with Senate sponsors to reconcile differences with a Senate companion measure that would instead appoint five members from each chamber.

Representative Marzion explained his no vote, saying he supports leaving enforcement to the secretary of state and criticized the resolution as unnecessary and potentially costly. “I think our secretary of state, Michael Adams, has done a fabulous job and we can leave him to watch over any kind of voter fraud,” Marzion said.

Representative Roberts urged a yes vote, describing the current restoration process as dependent on an expungement standard that often requires “clear and convincing evidence” and can force people into an expensive, lengthy court process. Roberts said the task force could move the state toward restoring constitutional rights to people who have served their sentences and prompt broader discussion of criminal-justice reforms.

Madam secretary called the roll after questions, and the committee recorded 14 votes in favor, one opposed. Representative Johnson announced: “Yes. So the resolution does pass with favorable consideration. Congratulations, Representative Callaway. We'll see you on the floor.” The committee did not take further action beyond the favorable consideration; the resolution will proceed to the full House for further action.

The resolution asks the task force to report back in 2026 and invites input from corrections officials, elections officials and advocacy organizations; the committee packet did not specify funding or implementation details.

Votes at a glance: House Concurrent Resolution 67 — favorable consideration in committee; vote tally recorded in committee roll call: yes 14, no 1 (members recorded by name during roll call).