SENATE TO CONDUCT IMPEACHMENT HEARING MARCH 21-22

FRANKFORT, KY (March 8, 2023) - For the first time in 135 years, the Senate will conduct an impeachment hearing and potential trial in its chambers. The last time one was held was in 1888 when State Treasurer “Honest Dick” Tate was impeached for fleeing to Brazil and abandoning his office with nearly $200,000 in state funds. In 1916 and 1991, impeachment hearings were conducted but never went to trial.

The Senate received the articles of impeachment for Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Lee Goldy, Jr. from the Kentucky House of Representatives following the work of the2023 House Impeachment Committee. The Senate passed Senate Resolution 108, which set forth a plan for Senate impeachment proceedings.

“Conducting an impeachment trial in the Senate is uncharted territory for any of us currently living (in office), as the last one occurred over a century ago,” said Senate President Robert Stivers. “In researching how to proceed with this process, we developed a sound, constitutional plan which provides due process and ensures public office integrity.”

Using Rule 39A, an amendment to the Senate Rules, the Senate President will appoint a committee of seven senators which includes no less than two minority members. The committee’s purpose will be to hear evidence from the House of Representatives presented by managers. The Senate members selected to sit on the committee are:

  • Senator Brandon Storm, R-London, Chair

  • Senator Lindsey Tichenor, R-Smithfield

  • Senator Gex Williams, R-Verona

  • Senator Jason Howell, R-Murray

  • Senator Michael Nemes, R-Shepherdsville

  • Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong, D-Louisville

  • Senator Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington

The hearing portion of the proceedings will take place March 21-22. Following the introduction of evidence to the committee, the defendant in the case will have the opportunity to present evidence.

Upon conclusion of the hearing, the committee will prepare recommendations and present them to the full Senate. The body may then accept the recommendations, reject them, or proceed to a full trial on the Senate floor. The Constitution of Kentucky requires the concurrence of two-thirds of the senators present to convict and remove the office-holder.

This process was most recently used by the United States Senate in 1989 and was upheld as constitutional by the United States Supreme Court in United States v. Nixon.

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