"Like a seven-year bourbon, this bill's time has come," Rep. DJ Johnson told fellow members of the Interim Joint Committee on State Government Tuesday. "I think we've got a shot."
The proposed constitutional amendment — now highly familiar to members of the General Assembly — would prevent Kentucky governors from issuing pardons and commutations during certain windows of time surrounding their own elections or reelections.
The amendment's stalwart champion, Sen. Chris McDaniel, explained the original intent was the set the limit a month out before voters went to the polls.
"Since the initial bill was filed, we have added early voting. And so, instead of a 30-day period, it would be a 60-day period running up to a gubernatorial election, and then from the election until the swearing-in of a new governor there would be no power to pardon," he explained. "Roughly three-and-a-half months out of every four years, there would be no power to pardon."
The proposed change stems from a series of controversial pardons issued by former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin near the end of his term in office, which included pardons for individuals convicted of rape, murder, and child abuse.
McDaniel has framed the amendment as a way of holding Republicans and Democrats accountable for last-minute pardons issued by governors of their party.
The amendment, which would require ratification by voters, has cleared the Senate during past sessions but has failed to cross the finish line.