2026 Regular Session - Day 30 - HB 139 | Rep. Jennifer Decker

Mr. Speaker, when I ran for state representative, I pledged to work to ensure that our state elections are fair and free. In fulfilling that election promise, I have worked to increase both the integrity of our elections and our voter turnout by sponsoring or co-sponsoring an election bill during every general session, regular session, since I was elected. Two years ago, former Secretary of State Trey Grayson began referring to these bills as continuous improvement bills, and that is what House Bill 139 is. During each interim session, and especially after each general election, I meet with an informal working group that's made up of the State Board of Elections, the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of State, and their staff, various individual county clerks, the Kentucky County Clerks Association, various state legislators, and various concerned citizens, to discuss and start planning for a new continuous improvement bill to address any issues that have come to light that might impede the efficient running of our elections, that might hurt voter turnout or the integrity of our vote. Mr. Speaker, if there are no questions, I move passage of House Bill 139 as amended by House Committee Sub and House Floor Amendment 1.