FRANKFORT, Ky. — A bill that would amend the Kentucky constitution to allow lawmakers to use public funds to fund non-public schools passed the full House Wednesday, March 13, after over two hours of debate.

What You Need To Know

  • House Bill 2 would amend the constitution to allow lawmakers to use taxpayer money to help fund the education of private school students 

  • If it passes the Senate, voters would decide if they want the constitutional change 

  • Supporters believe parents should have all options for their child's education, opponents believe this will lead to depleted public schools 

  • The GOP tried passing legislation in 2021 pertaining to school choice and public funds; it was ruled unconstitutional

House Bill 2 passed with 65 YAYS and 32 NAYS on the House floor. If it passes the Senate, voters would then be asked in November to approve the constitutional change.

The constitutional amendment would ask voters if lawmakers can ignore seven sections of the constitution to use taxpayer dollars to assist the education of students not in public schools.

HB 2 would change a portion of the 1891 state constitution, which states public money can only be used for common schools. Majority Caucus Chair Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro said that provision of the constitution is out of date.

“Not every child learns the same. We are in a different time and place; we are in a much more modern place than we were when our constitution was written,” Miles said.

After two hours of debate, the constitutional amendment now heads to the senate. If it passes that chamber, the question will go before the voters in November.

“Let’s empower the voters, let’s empower the parents of a possibility of giving them the very best education opportunity for their child,” Miles said.

Republicans fast tracked passage of the bill by calling a special meeting less than an hour before the chamber gaveled in on March 12. Democrats are concerned Kentucky public schools will suffer should voters approve the amendment. However, Speaker of the House David Osborne, R-Prospect, limited what could be discussed on the floor on Wednesday.

State Rep. Pamela Stevenson, D-Louisville, is one of many opponents concerned with the so-called lack of transparency.

“Why are we doing this in secret and dark quickly? Why are we hiding? What are we trying to accomplish that you can’t say by boxing us in? What is that you don’t want the people of Kentucky to know what you’re doing?” Stevenson said.

Some Republicans in eastern Kentucky are concerned about the potential negative effects it could have on their school systems. State Rep. Timmy Truett, R-McKee, is an elementary school principal and voted no on the bill.

“I am not against school choice, but I am against taking money away from the districts who need that extra funding and I’m afraid of what this legislation may do,” Truett said.

The issue of school choice is not new to Kentucky. Republicans passed a school choice measure in 2021. However, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. State Rep. Josie Raymond, D-Louisville, said she believes voters will ultimately reject the amendment should it go in front of voters.

“Now we have this amendment proposed to change the constitution to make an illegal law legal,” Raymond said.

Republicans continued their fast track toward final passage of the bill; HB 2 got its first reading and committee assignments in the Senate just minutes after it passed the House.

If the Senate passes House Bill 2, it will then head to the secretary of state for potential placement on the ballot. Since it is a proposed constitutional amendment, the governor does not sign or veto the bill.

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