For AI agents: read the machine-readable documentation index at /llms.txt or the single-file full reference at /llms-full.txt.
Form a Business

LEGAL NOTICES

KRS tit. XXXVIII, ch. 424
in effect

KRS 424.110 Definitions for KRS 424.110 to 424.370

424.110. Definitions for KRS 424.110 to 424.370 As used in KRS 424.110 to 424.370: (1) "Advertisement" means any matter required by law to be published; (2) "Publication area" means the city, county, district, or other local area for which an advertisement is required by law to be made. An advertisement shall be deemed to be for a particular city, county, district, or other local area if it concerns an official activity of the city, county, district, or other area or of any governing body, board, commission, officer, agency, or court thereof, or if the subject of the advertisement concerns particularly the people of the city, county, district, or other area; (3) "Time" means the time of day, stated in both eastern standard time and central standard time; and (4) "Zoned edition" means a newspaper edition published at least once a week, distributed in a specific geographic region of the newspaper's circulation area, and containing reporting and advertising of interest to subscribers in that geographic region. Effective: April 27, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 198, sec. 38, effective April 27, 2026. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 9, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 1. Legislative Research Commission Note (4/27/2026). Under the authority of KRS 7.136(1), the reviser of statutes has altered the internal numbering of this statute during codification to place the terms in alphabetical order. The words in the text were not changed.

KRS 424.120 Qualifications of newspapers

424.120. Qualifications of newspapers (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (4) of this section, if an advertisement for a publication area is required by law to be published in a newspaper, the publication shall be made in a newspaper that meets the following requirements: (a) It shall be published in the publication area. A newspaper shall be deemed to be published in the area if it maintains its principal office in the area for the purpose of gathering news and soliciting advertisements and other general business of newspaper publications, and has a periodicals class mailing permit issued for that office. A newspaper published outside of Kentucky shall not be eligible to carry advertisements for any county or publication area within the county, other than for the city in which its main office is located, if there is a newspaper published in the county that has a substantial general circulation throughout the county and that otherwise meets the requirements of this section; (b) It shall be of regular issue and have a bona fide circulation in the publication area. A newspaper shall be deemed to be of regular issue if it is published at least once a week, for at least fifty (50) weeks during the calendar year as prescribed by its mailing permit, and has been so published in the area for the immediately preceding two (2) year period. A newspaper meeting all the criteria to be of regular issue, except publication in the area for the immediately preceding two (2) year period, shall be deemed to be of regular issue if it is the only qualified paper in the county. A newspaper shall be deemed to be of bona fide circulation in the publication area if it is circulated generally in the area, and maintains a definite price or consideration not less than fifty percent (50%) of its published price, and is paid for by not less than fifty percent (50%) of those to whom distribution is made; (c) It shall bear a title or name, consist of not less than four (4) pages without a cover, and be of a type to which the general public resorts for passing events of a political, religious, commercial, and social nature, and for current happenings, announcements, miscellaneous reading matter, advertisements, and other notices. The news content shall be at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the total column space in more than one-half (1/2) of its issues during any twelve (12) month period; (d) If, in a publication area there is more than one (1) newspaper which meets the above requirements, the newspaper having the largest bona fide paid circulation as shown by the average number of paid copies of each issue as shown in its published statement of ownership as filed on October 1 for the publication area shall be the newspaper where advertisements required by law to be published shall be carried; and (e) For the purposes of KRS Chapter 424, publishing shall be considered as the total recurring processes of producing the newspaper, embracing all of the included contents of reading matter, illustrations, and advertising enumerated in paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection. A newspaper shall not be excluded from qualifying for the purposes of legal publications as provided in this chapter if its printing or reproduction processes take place outside the publication area. (2) (a) If, in the case of a publication area smaller than the county in which it is located, there is no newspaper published in the area, the publication shall be made in a newspaper published in the county that is qualified under this section to publish advertisements for the county. If the qualified newspaper publishes a zoned edition which is distributed to regular subscribers within the publication area, any advertisement required by law to be published in the publication area may be published in the zoned edition distributed in that area. (b) If, in any county there is no newspaper meeting the requirements of this section for publishing advertisements for that county, any advertisements required to be published for the county or for any publication area within the county shall be published in a newspaper of the largest bona fide circulation in that county published in and qualified to publish advertisements for an adjoining county in Kentucky. This subsection is intended to supersede any statute that provides or contemplates that newspaper publication may be dispensed with if there is no newspaper printed or published or of general circulation in the particular publication area. (3) If a publication area consists of a district, other than a city, which extends into more than one (1) county, the part of the district in each county shall be considered to be a separate publication area for the purposes of this section, and an advertisement for each separate publication area shall be published in a newspaper qualified under this section to publish advertisements for the area. (4) If an advertisement for a publication area is required by law to be published in a newspaper, the publication may, alternatively, be made in a digital newspaper that: (a) Maintains an active news gathering office in the publication area; (b) Has been actively publishing for at least one (1) year, and is updated on at least a weekly basis; (c) Has as its primary purpose reporting on matters of import to the public, and contains regular reporting regarding local and community issues in the publication area; (d) Is easily accessible to the public through common Internet search engines or other Internet search means; (e) Contains conspicuous links or headings on its landing page that direct members of the public to public notices; and (f) Distributes, or has ownership interest in another entity that distributes, newspapers printed in Kentucky, and is capable of circulati ng printed newspapers throughout the publication area. For purposes of satisfying publication requirements of this chapter, an advertisement is deemed to be published on the date that it is posted on the website of the digital newspaper. Any other statute requiring newspaper publication that contains requirements related to the physical dimensions, typesetting, font, or other aspects particular to a printed newspaper are not applicable where the advertisement is made in a digital newspaper that qualifies u nder this subsection. Effective: June 29, 2023 History: Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 27, sec. 2, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 8, sec. 3, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 9, sec. 2, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 201, sec. 1, effective July 13, 1984. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 180, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982; and ch. 430, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 2.

KRS 424.130 Times and periods of publication -- Posting of delinquent tax lists

424.130. Times and periods of publication -- Posting of delinquent tax lists (1) Except as otherwise provided in KRS 424.110 to 424.370 and notwithstanding any provision of existing law providing for different times or periods of publication, the times and periods of publications of advertisements required by law to be made in a newspaper shall be as follows: (a) When an advertisement is of a completed act, such as an ordinance, resolution, regulation, order, rule, report, statement, or certificate and the purpose of the publication is not to inform the public or the members of any class of persons that they may or shall do an act or exercise a right within a designated period or upon or by a designated date, the advertisement shall be published one (1) time only and within thirty (30) days after completion of the act. However, a failure to comply with this paragraph shall not invalidate any ordinance or resolution or subject a person to any of the penalties provided by KRS 424.990 unless such failure continues for a period of fifteen (15) days after notice to comply has been given him by registered letter. (b) When an advertisement is for the purpose of informing the public or the members of any class of persons that on or before a certain day they may or shall file a petition or exceptions or a remonstrance or protest or objection, or resist the granting of an application or petition, or present or file a claim, or submit a bid, the advertisement shall be published at least once, but may be published two (2) or more times, provided that one (1) publication occurs not less than seven (7) days nor more than twenty-one (21) days before the occurrence of the act or event. (c) When an advertisement is for the purpose of informing the public and the advertisement is a notice of delinquent taxes, or notice of the sale of tax claims, the advertisement shall be published either: 1. Once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks; or 2. One (1) time, preceded by a one-half (1/2) page notice of advertisement the preceding week. The one-half (1/2) page advertisement shall include notice that a list of uncollectible delinquent taxes is also available for public inspection in accordance with KRS 424.330 during normal business hours at the business address of the city or county and on an identified Internet Web site. The advertisement shall include the business address of the city or county and the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Internet Web site where the document can be viewed. The Internet Web site shall be affiliated with the city or county and contain other information about the city or county government. The delinquent tax list shall be posted on the Internet Web site for a minimum of thirty (30) days and shall be updated weekly. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to require the advertisement of notice of delinquent state taxes which are collected by the state. (d) Any advertisement not coming within the scope of paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this subsection, such as one for the purpose of informing the public or the members of any class of persons of the holding of an election, or of a public hearing, or of an examination, or of an opportunity for inspection, or of the due date of a tax or special assessment, shall be published at least once but may be published two (2) or more times, provided that one (1) publication occurs not less than seven (7) days nor more than twenty-one (21) days before the occurrence of the act or event, or in the case of an inspection period, the inspection period commences. (e) If the particular statute requiring that an advertisement be published provides that the day upon or by which, or the period within which, an act may or shall be done or a right exercised, or an event may or shall take place, is to be determined by computing time for the day of publication of an advertisement, the advertisement shall be published at least once, promptly, in accordance with the statute, and the computation of time shall be from the day of initial publication. (2) This section is not intended to supersede or affect any statute providing for notice of the fact that an adversary action in court has been commenced. Effective: June 27, 2019 History: Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 7, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 46, sec. 1, effective June 8, 2011. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 8, sec. 4, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 346, sec. 231, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 32, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 3.

KRS 424.140 Contents or form of advertisements

424.140. Contents or form of advertisements (1) Any advertisement of a hearing, meeting or examination shall state the time, place and purpose of the same. (2) Any advertisement of an election shall state the time and purpose of the election, and if the election is upon a public question the advertisement shall state the substance of the question. (3) Any advertisement for bids or of a sale shall describe what is to be bid for or sold, the time and place of the sale or for the receipt of bids, and any special terms of the sale. (4) Where any statute provides that, within a specified period of time after action by any governmental agency, unit or body, members of the public or anyone interested in or affected by such action shall or may act, and it is provided by statute that notice of such governmental action be published, the advertisement shall state the time and place when and where action may be taken. History: Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 4.

KRS 424.145 Alternative Internet and newspaper publication procedures for local governments

424.145. Alternative Internet and newspaper publication procedures for local governments (1) As used in this section: (a) "Local government" means: 1. Any urban-county government; 2. Any consolidated local government; 3. Any charter county; 4. Any unified local government; and 5. In any county containing a population of eighty thousand (80,000) or more based upon the most recent federal decennial census, the county itself or any: a. City within the county; b. Special district within the county; c. School district within the county; or d. Special purpose governmental entity within the county; and (b) "Notice website" means a website that is maintained by a local government or a third party under contract with th e local government, which contains links to the legal advertisements or notices electronically published by the local government. (2) Local governments may satisfy the requirements of this chapter or any other provision of law requiring the publication of an advertisement in a newspaper by following the alternative procedures established in this section. (3) In lieu of newspaper publication, a local government may post the required advertisement online on a notice website operated by the local government th at is accessible to the public at all times in accordance with subsections (4) to (9) of this section. Publication of an advertisement shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the advertisement is posted on the local government's notice website. (4) (a) In conjunction with an alternative Internet posting, the local government shall publish a newspaper advertisement one (1) time providing notice that the public may view the full advertisement on the notice website. The newspaper advertisement shall: 1. Be not more than six (6) column inches and meet the technical requirements of KRS 424.160(1); 2. Be published within ten (10) days of the alternative posting on the notice website when the purpose of the posting is to inform the public of a completed act, including those acts specified in KRS 424.130(1)(a), or within three (3) days of the posting when the purpose of the posting is to inform the public of the right to take a certain action, including the events specified in KRS 424.130(1)(b) and (d); 3. Inform the public of the subject matter of the alternative posting, inform the public of its right to inspect any documents associated with the Internet posting by contacting the local government, and provide a mailing and a physical address where a copy of the document may be obtained and the web address if the document is available online; and 4. Provide the full Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the notice website address and the full Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the address where the full advertisement may be directly viewed along with a telephone number for the local government. (b) A local government may, alternatively, publish an advertisement one (1) time providing notice that the public may view the full advertisement on the notice website in a digital newspaper that meets the qualifications discussed in KRS 424.120, so long as the advertisement complies with paragraph (a) 2., 3., and 4. of this subsection. (5) In addition to specific legal requirements applicable to a particular type of advertisement: (a) The contents of each alternative Internet posting shall meet the minimum requirements of KRS 424.140; and (b) The local government shall make the alternative Internet posting in accordance with the times and periods established by KRS 424.130, and shall actively maintain the alternative Internet posting on its public website: 1. Until the deadline passes or the event occurs if the substance of the advertisement is intended to advise the public of a time to take action or the occurrence of a future event; 2. For at least ninety (90) days if the substance of the advertisement is to inform the public of an action taken by the local government, such as the enactment of an ordinance; or 3. For one (1) year or until updated or replaced with a more recent version if the substance of the advertisement is intended to inform the public about the financial status of the local government, such as annual audits or the budget. (6) The local government shall display access to any and all alternative Internet postings made pursuant to this section prominently on the homepage or first page of the notice website. The section of the notice website containing any postings and the actual advertisement shall be made in a manner where the public can readily and with minimal effort identify the location of and easily retrieve the advertisements. (7) The local government shall provide a conspicuous statement on its notice website that individuals who have difficulty in accessing the contents of posted advertisements may contact the local government for information regarding alternative methods of accessing advertisements, which shall include the telephone number of the local government. (8) As proof of an alternative Internet posting to satisfy any newspaper publication requirement, the local government shall memorialize the posting by capturing the posting in electronic or paper format and shall complete an affidavit signed by the person responsible for causing publications under KRS 424.150, stating that the local government satisfied the publication requirement by alternative Internet posting. The affidavit shall specify the active dates of the notice website posting, the specific statutory requirements being satisfied by the alternative Internet posting, and the notice website address where the alternative posting was located, including the full Uniform Resource Locator (URL) used for the posting. The local government shall retain the captured posting and the affidavit by the person responsible for publication for a period of three (3) years. Together, the captured posting and the affidavit shall constitute prima facie evidence that the posting was made and occurred as stated within the affidavit. (9) The failure to cause the newspaper advertisement required in subsection (4) of this section shall not void the action of the local government or negate the enforceability of the matter advertised by alternative Internet posting. Any person who violates the requirements of subsection (4) of this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in KRS 424.990. Effective: June 29, 2023 History: Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 27, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2023. -- Created 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 87, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2020. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/15/2020). 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 91, sec. 73, which applies to fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 and expires June 30, 2022 (see 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 91, sec. 80), states the following: "Publishing Requirements: Notwithstanding KRS 83A.060, 91A.040, and Chapter 424, a county containing a population of more than 90,000 or any city within a county containing a population of more than 90,000, as determined by the 2010 United States Census, may publish enacted ordinances, audits, and bid solicitations by posting the full ordinance, the full audit report including the auditor's opinion letter, or the bid solicitation on an Internet Web site maintained by the county or city government for a period of at least one (1) year. If a county or city publishes ordinances, audits, or bid solicitations on an Internet Web site, the county or city shall also publish an advertisement, in a newspaper qualified in accordance with KRS 424.120, with a description of the ordinances, audits, or bid solicitations published on the Internet Web site, including the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) where the documents can be viewe d. Any advertisement required to be published in a newspaper under KRS Chapter 424 shall contain the following statement at the end of the advertisement: "This advertisement was paid for by [insert the name of the governmental body required to advertise in a newspaper] using taxpayer dollars in the amount of $[insert the amount paid for the advertisement].".

KRS 424.147 Local government posting on Internet if newspaper makes error in publication or fails to publish

424.147. Local government posting on Internet if newspaper makes error in publication or fails to publish (1) If a newspaper qualified under KRS 424.120 either makes an error or fails in time or substance to make a publication in accordance with KRS 424.130 or 424.140 after receiving the information to be published, a city or county affected thereby may, after it has notice of the error or failure and to avoid undue delay of governmental process and procedure, remedy the error or failure by causing the publication to occur on a notice Web site as defined in KRS 424.145. (2) Notwithstanding the time requirements imposed by KRS 424.130, a city or county publishing to remedy an error or failure of a newspaper under subsection (1) of this section shall immediately cause the publication of the matter on a notice Web site, and this remedial Web site publication shall be deemed in full compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Effective: July 15, 2020 History: Created 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 87, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2020.

KRS 424.150 Person responsible for publishing

424.150. Person responsible for publishing When any statute providing for newspaper publication of an advertisement does not designate the person responsible for causing the publication to be made, the responsible person shall be: (1) Where the advertisement is of the filing of a petition or application, the person by whom the same is filed; (2) Where the advertisement is of an activity or action of: (a) An individual public officer, the officer himself; (b) A city, the city clerk if there be one; if not, the mayor; (c) A county, the county clerk; (d) A district, or a board, commission or agency of a city, county or district, the chief administrative or executive officer or agent thereof; (e) A court, the clerk thereof; (f) A state department or agency, the head thereof. Effective: July 15, 1986 History: Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 23, sec. 15, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 384, sec. 525, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 5.

KRS 424.160 Rates for newspaper advertising required by law

424.160. Rates for newspaper advertising required by law (1) For all newspaper advertising required by law, the publisher is entitled to receive payment for each insertion at a rate per column inch. The advertisement shall be set in no larger than seven (7) point type on solid leading. The rate shall not exceed the lowest noncontract classified rate paid by advertisers. The terms and conditions of any volume discounts given to commercial customers shall be extended to public agencies of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Newspapers shall give all local public agencies a written notice of at least thirty (30) days of an advertising rate increase. (2) If by law or by the nature of the matter to be published, a display form of advertisement is required, or if the person or officer responsible for causing an advertisement to be published determines in his discretion that a display form is practicable or feasible, and so directs the newspaper, the advertisement shall be published in display form and the newspaper shall be entitled to receive its established display rate. (3) If it is provided by statute that an advertisement shall be published of the filing of a petition or application seeking official action, the filing, if required by other than a governmental official or agency, shall not be deemed complete unless there is deposited with the petition or application an amount sufficient to pay the cost of publication. (4) The expense of advertisements in judicial proceedings shall be taxed as costs by the clerk of the court. Effective: July 12, 2006 History: Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 8, sec. 5, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 396, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 430, sec. 4, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 6.

KRS 424.170 Proof of publication

424.170. Proof of publication (1) The affidavit of the publisher or proprietor of a newspaper, stating that an advertisement has been published in his newspaper and the times it was published, attached to a copy of the advertisement, constitutes prima facie evidence that the publication was made as stated in the affidavit. (2) The affidavit of the person responsible for publishing as described in KRS 424.150, stating that an advertisement has been delivered by first class mail to each residence within the publication area, attached to a copy of the advertisement, constitutes prima facie evidence that the publication was made as stated in the affidavit and that the expenditure for the cost of postage, all supplies, and reproduction of the advertisement did not exceed the cost of newspaper publication of the advertisement. Effective: July 15, 1982 History: Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 430, sec. 5, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 7.

KRS 424.180 Advertisements of state agencies

424.180. Advertisements of state agencies Any advertisement which a state officer, department or agency is required by law to have published shall, if intended to give statewide notice, be published in such newspaper or newspapers, to be designated by the Finance and Administration Cabinet, as will provide reasonable statewide coverage, unless the Finance and Administration Cabinet approves an alternative and cost-effective method of delivery. If the advertisement particularly affects a local area, it shall be published, for each county in the area, in a newspaper qualified under KRS 424.120 to publish advertisements for such county, unless the Finance and Administration Cabinet approves an alternative and cost-effective method of delivery. The latter publication shall be in addition to the former, if the advertisement affects the state at large as well as the local area. Effective: April 25, 2006 History: Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 252, Pt. XXI, sec. 1, effective April 25, 2006. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 8.

KRS 424.190 Alternatives to newspaper publication abolished -- Exception -- Information required to be sent to Department for Local Government

424.190. Alternatives to newspaper publication abolished -- Exception -- Information required to be sent to Department for Local Government (1) If a statute gives discretion to a public officer or agency or governmental body as to the method of making an advertisement required by the statute, and if a statute provides that an advertisement may be made either by posting or by newspaper publication, the advertisement shall be made by newspaper publication in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section. (2) Any city may, when the cost of the newspaper publication exceeds the cost of postage, supplies, and reproduction for the alternative method of publication, in lieu of newspaper publication of advertisement, substitute delivery of a copy of the advertisement by first class mail to each residence within the publication area. Any city electing to use the alternative publication methods authorized by this section shall forward an electronic copy of its audit report or an electronic copy of its financial statement, whichever is applicable, to the Department for Local Government in accordance with KRS 91A.040 and 424.220. Effective: July 14, 2018 History: Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 10, sec. 4, effective July 14, 2018. -- Amended 2010 Ky. Acts ch. 117, sec. 89, effective July 15, 2010. -- Amended 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 47, sec. 94, effective June 26, 2007. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 69, sec. 78, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 34, sec. 2, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 52, sec. 2, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 430, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 9.

KRS 424.195 Supplementation of printed notice by broadcast in certain cases

424.195. Supplementation of printed notice by broadcast in certain cases (1) Any official of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or any of its political subdivisions who is required by law to publish any legal notice or notice of event may supplement, not to exceed twelve (12) publications unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction thereof by use of radio or television spot announcements, or both, when, in his judgment, the public interest will be served thereby; except, that notices by political subdivisions may be made only by stations having a broadcast studio within the county of origin of the legal notice, and that broadcast notices shall call attention solely to published or posted notices required by statute. (2) Each radio or television station broadcasting a legal notice or notice of event shall for a period of three (3) months subsequent to such broadcast retain at its office a copy of the transcript of the text of the notices actually broadcast and such shall be available for public inspection. (3) The radio or television station which broadcasts the legal notice authorized by this section shall be entitled to receive payment of an amount equal to the customary charges of such station for such service. (4) The publication of legal notices under this section shall be restricted to legal notices relating to those official acts of public officers requiring a final determination by order of any court of competent jurisdiction in the Commonwealth. History: Created 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 100, sec. 1.

KRS 424.210 Official newspapers abolished

424.210. Official newspapers abolished No official newspaper shall be designated by any governmental unit for the publication of advertisements for such unit. History: Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 11.

KRS 424.215 Advertising by public agencies -- Rates charged

424.215. Advertising by public agencies -- Rates charged Notwithstanding KRS 65.070, 83A.060, 91A.040, 160.463, 424.180, 424.190, 424.220, 424.230, 424.250, 424.260, 424.270, 424.330, any public agency required to advertise or publish notices or documents in a newspaper shall be charged the lowest rate generally charged for advertising by the newspaper. Effective: June 20, 2005 History: Created 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 106, sec. 11, effective June 20, 2005.

KRS 424.220 Financial statements -- Contents -- Publication requirements -- Exempted officers

424.220. Financial statements -- Contents -- Publication requirements -- Exempted officers (1) Excepting officers who are exempted under subsection (8) of this section, every public officer of any city, county, or district less than a county, o r of any board, commission, or other authority of a city, county, or district whose duty it is to collect, receive, have the custody, control, or disbursement of any funds collected from the public in any form shall, at the expiration of each fiscal year, prepare an itemized, sworn statement of the funds collected, received, held, or disbursed by him or her during the fiscal year just closed, unless he or she has complied with KRS 424.230. (2) The statement shall show: (a) The total amount of funds collected and received during the fiscal year from each individual source; and (b) The total amount of funds disbursed during the fiscal year to each individual payee. The list shall include only aggregate amounts to vendors exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000). (3) Only the totals of amounts paid to each individual as salary or commission and public utility bills shall be shown. The amount of salaries paid to all nonelected county employees shall be shown as lump -sum expenditures by category, including but not limited to road department, jails, solid waste, public safety, and administrative personnel. (4) The financial reporting and publishing requirements for a school district are provided in KRS 160.463. (5) The officer shall procure and include in or attach t o the financial statement, as a part thereof, a certificate from the cashier or other proper officer of the banks in which the funds are or have been deposited during the past year, showing the balance, if any, of funds to the credit of the officer making the statement. (6) To provide notice to the public that the city's financial statement has been completed as required by this section, the appropriate officer of a city that has not conducted an annual audit for the fiscal year under one (1) of the excepti ons provided in KRS 91A.040(2) or (3) shall publish a legal display advertisement of not less than six (6) column inches in a newspaper qualified under KRS 424.120 that the statement required by subsection (1) of this section has been prepared and that copies have been provided to each local newspaper of general circulation, each news service, and each local radio and television station which has on file with the city a written request to be provided a statement. The advertisement shall be published within thirty (30) days after the submission of the financial statement to the Department for Local Government under KRS 91A.040(2)(b) or (3)(a). (7) To provide notice to the public that the county's financial statement has been completed as required by this section, the appropriate officer of a county shall publish the county's audit, prepared in accordance with KRS 43.070 or 64.810, in the same manner that city audits are published in accordance with KRS 91A.040(8). (8) The provisions of this section shall not apply to officers of: (a) A city of the first class; (b) A county containing a city of the first class; (c) A consolidated local government; (d) An urban-county government; (e) A city with a population equal to or greater than twenty thousand (20,000) based upon the most recent federal decennial census; (f) A city that has completed an audit pursuant to the provisions of KRS 91A.040(1) or (2)(a); (g) A city that has completed an agreed-upon procedures engagement in accordance with KRS 91A.044; (h) A public agency or joint public agency of a: 1. City of the first class; 2. Consolidated local government; or 3. County containing a city of the first class; or (i) A school district of a: 1. City of the first class; 2. Consolidated local government; or 3. County containing a city of the first class. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 91, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 153, sec. 6, effective June 27, 2025. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 91, sec. 2, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 2018 Ky. Acts ch. 10, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2018; ch. 171, sec. 8, effective April 14, 2018; and ch. 207, sec. 8, effective April 27, 2018. -- Amended 2014 Ky. Acts ch. 92, sec. 309, effective January 1, 2015. -- Amended 2011 Ky. Acts ch. 46, sec. 2, effective June 8, 2011. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 8, sec. 6, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 346, sec. 232, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 69, sec. 79, effective July 15, 1998. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 52, sec. 3, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 32, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 277, sec. 1, effective Ju ly 13, 1984. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 430, sec. 7, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 384, sec. 526, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1976 Ky. Acts ch. 71, sec. 1. -- Amended 1962 Ky. Acts ch. 170, sec. 1. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. - - Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 12. Legislative Research Commission Note (8/19/2022). The Reviser of Statutes has corrected an error that occurred during codification of this statute following the enactment of 2018 Ky. Acts chs. 10, 171, and 207.

KRS 424.230 Optional monthly or quarterly statements

424.230. Optional monthly or quarterly statements Any officer who is subject to the provisions of KRS 424.220 may elect to prepare and publish monthly or quarterly statements, in lieu of the annual statements required by KRS 424.220. All of the provisions of KRS 424.220 shall be applicable to such a monthly or quarterly statement except that (1) the statement shall cover only the preceding month or quarter, as the case may be, and (2) the publication shall be made within thirty (30) days after the end of the month or quarter, as the case may be. Any officer who has elected to proceed under this section shall not be exempted from the requirements of KRS 424.220 for any fiscal year unless he has caused to be prepared and published, in accordance with this section, a proper statement for each month or quarter of the fiscal year. History: Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 13.

KRS 424.240 County or city budget

424.240. County or city budget Immediately following the adoption of an annual budget by any county or city other than one of the first class or a consolidated local government, the clerk shall cause a summary of the budget or the text of the budget ordinance to be advertised for the county, consolidated local government, or city by publication in a newspaper. Effective: July 15, 2002 History: Amended 2002 Ky. Acts ch. 346, sec. 233, effective July 15, 2002. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 201, sec. 2, effective July 13, 1984. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 14.

KRS 424.250 Advertisement of school district budget

424.250. Advertisement of school district budget At the same time that copies of the budget of a school district are filed with the clerk of the tax levying authority for the district, as provided in KRS 160.461, the board of education of the district shall cause the budget to be advertised for the district by publishing a copy of the budget in a newspaper and on the district's website. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 129, sec. 12, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2025 Ky. Acts ch. 86, sec. 6, effective June 27, 2025. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 15.

KRS 424.260 Bids for materials, supplies, equipment, or services -- Exceptions

424.260. Bids for materials, supplies, equipment, or services -- Exceptions (1) Except where a statute specifically fixes a larger sum as the minimum for a requirement of advertisement for bids, a city, county, or district, or board or commission of a city or county, or sheriff or county clerk, shall not make a contract, lease, or other agreement for: (a) Materials; (b) Supplies, except for supplies that are: 1. Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, egg products, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits; or 2. Sold at public auction; (c) Equipment, except used vehicles and used equipment if the purchase price does not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the model year for a vehicle or date of manufac ture for equipment for the same or similar vehicles or equipment; or (d) Contractual services other than professional; involving an expenditure of more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) without first making newspaper advertisement for bids. This subse ction shall not apply to the transfer of property between governmental agencies as authorized in KRS 82.083(4)(a). (2) If the fiscal court requires that the sheriff or county clerk advertise for bids on expenditures of less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), the fiscal court requirement shall prevail. (3) (a) Nothing in this statute shall limit or restrict the ability of a local school district to acquire supplies and equipment outside of the bidding procedure if those supplies and equipment meet the specifications of the contracts awarded by the Office of Material and Procurement Services in the Office of the Controller within the Finance and Administration Cabinet or a federal, local, or cooperative agency and are available for purchase elsewhere at a lower price. A board of education may purchase those supplies and equipment without advertising for bids if, prior to m aking the purchases, the board of education obtains certification from the district's finance or purchasing officer that the items to be purchased meet the standards and specifications fixed by state price contract, federal (GSA) price contract, or the bid of another school district whose bid specifications allow other districts to utilize their bids, and that the sales price is lower than that established by the various price contract agreements or available through the bid of another school district whose bid specifications would allow the district to utilize their bid. (b) The procedures set forth in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not be available to the district for any specific item once the bidding procedure has been initiated by an invitation to bid and a publication of specifications for that specific item has been published. In the event that all bids are rejected, the district may again avail itself of the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection. (4) This requirement shall not apply i n an emergency if the chief executive officer of the city, county, or district has duly certified that an emergency exists, and has filed a copy of the certificate with the chief financial officer of the city, county, or district, or if the sheriff or the county clerk has certified that an emergency exists, and has filed a copy of the certificate with the clerk of the court where his necessary office expenses are fixed pursuant to KRS 64.345 or 64.530, or if the superintendent of the board of education has duly certified that an emergency exists, and has filed a copy of the certificate with the chief state school officer. (5) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply for the purchase of wholesale electric power for resale to the ultimate customers of a municipal utility organized under KRS 96.550 to 96.900. (6) Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to purchases for products or services made pursuant to KRS 82.084. (7) Beginning in calendar year 2030, the small purchase maximum amount set out in subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall be increased by ten thousand dollars ($10,000) every five (5) years effective on January 1 of each year. The Finance and Administration Cabinet shall, through a technical advice memorandum or other official means of communication, announce the small purchase maximum amount in effect for the current year, and shall also prominently post that information on its website. Effective: July 15, 2026 History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 39, sec. 5, effective July 15, 2026, and ch. 90, sec. 4, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 63, sec. 5, effective June 29, 2023; and ch. 152, sec. 2, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 150, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2022. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 79, sec. 4, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 5, effective July 15, 2016. -- Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 85, sec. 696, effective June 20, 2005. -- Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 11, effective July 14, 2000; ch. 225, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2000; and ch. 510, sec. 3, effective July 14, 2000. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 89, sec. 5, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 178, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 1, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 282, sec. 4, effective April 2, 1982. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 197, sec. 12, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 97, sec. 1. -- Amended 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 147, sec. 1. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 16. Legislative Research Commission Note (7/15/2026). This statute was amended by 2026 Ky. Acts chs. 39 and 90, which do not appear to be in conflict and have been codified together.

KRS 424.270 Local administrative regulations

424.270. Local administrative regulations No general regulation of uniform application throughout the publication area promulgated by any officer, board or commission of a city, county, or district, which is intended to impose liabilities or restrictions upon the public shall be valid unless and until it, or a notice of such promulgation, together with a statement where the original regulation may be examined by the public, has been advertised by newspaper publication. History: Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 17.

KRS 424.280 Due date of ad valorem taxes

424.280. Due date of ad valorem taxes Every officer whose duty it is to collect any ad valorem tax for the state or for any political subdivision of the state shall cause notice of the due date of the tax to be advertised by newspaper publication, and shall not be given a quietus for the taxes collected unless he submits proof of such publication. Publication of the ordinance passed by a city adopting the rate of the ad valorem tax levy shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this section if the due date of the tax is published as a component of the ordinance levying the tax. Effective: July 15, 2016 History: Amended 2016 Ky. Acts ch. 22, sec. 6, effective July 15, 2016. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 18.

KRS 424.290 Publication of ballots and supplementary material

424.290. Publication of ballots and supplementary material (1) Not less than three (3) days before any primary or regular election the county clerk shall cause to be published in a newspaper a copy of the ballots or supplementary material on which appear the names of candidates or issues to be voted upon. Where the lists of candidates or issues to be voted upon differ for various precincts within the county, the county clerk shall cause to be published only one (1) set of data with appropriate notations showing the differences in the various precincts. If supplemental paper ballots have been approved as provided in KRS 118.215, the supplemental paper ballot shall be published at the same time as other material required to be published by this subsection. The cost of publication shall be paid by the county, except that the cost of publishing any voting data required to be published by this subsection that is limited to a city election or a district election other than a school district election shall be paid by the city or the district as the case may be. (2) "Copy," as used in subsection (1) of this section, means a summary of candidates and issues to be voted upon showing all the pertinent information that will appear, upon which the voters will cast their votes at a particular polling place. Effective: June 29, 2021 History: Amended 2021 Ky. Acts ch. 197, sec. 71, effective June 29, 2021. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 360, sec. 84, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 384, sec. 527, effective June 17, 1978. -- Amended 1976 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, sec. 15. -- Amended 1972 Ky. Acts ch. 188, sec. 67, effective June 16, 1972. -- Amended 1962 Ky. Acts ch. 213, sec. 1. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 19.

KRS 424.300 Public Service Commission hearings

424.300. Public Service Commission hearings Notices of hearings by the Public Service Commission upon applications by public utilities for rate increases or reduction or discontinuance of service, except where advertised by mail, shall be advertised by the applicant utility in accordance with such reasonable regulations as the commission may prescribe by newspaper publication in the areas that will be affected. Effective: July 15, 1982 History: Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 242, sec. 6, effective July 15, 1982. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 20.

KRS 424.330 Publication of lists of delinquent taxes by cities -- Fee allowance

424.330. Publication of lists of delinquent taxes by cities -- Fee allowance Cities may publish a list of uncollected delinquent taxes levied under Section 181 of the Kentucky Constitution, showing the name of and the amount due from each delinquent taxpayer, to be advertised by newspaper publication. A fee equal to the prorated cost of publication per taxpayer per publication may be added to the amount of each tax claim published as publication costs. Effective: July 15, 2014 History: Amended 2014 Ky. Acts ch. 5, sec. 4, effective July 15, 2014. -- Amended 2009 Ky. Acts ch. 10, sec. 69, effective January 1, 2010. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 8, sec. 7, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 1994 Ky. Acts ch. 73, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1994. – Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 73, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 32, sec. 3, effective July 15, 1988. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 23.

KRS 424.340 Publication of notice of fiduciary appointments and date for presentation of creditors' claims

424.340. Publication of notice of fiduciary appointments and date for presentation of creditors' claims The clerk of the probate court shall, at least once each month, cause to be published in the newspaper meeting the requirements of KRS 424.120, a notice setting forth all fiduciary appointments made since the last publication and including at least the following information: the name and address of the decedent or ward, the name and address of the fiduciary, the date of the fiduciary's appointment, and the name and address of the attorney representing the fiduciary, if any, and the date by which claims of creditors must be presented. The clerk may charge each fiduciary a fee not to exceed the actual proportionate cost of said notice. Publication of this notice shall neither enlarge nor reduce the obligation of a creditor to present a timely claim, nor the liability of the fiduciary or distributee to pay the same. Effective: July 15, 1988 History: Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 90, sec. 28, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1980 Ky. Acts ch. 188, sec. 292, effective July 15, 1980; and ch. 259, sec. 29, effective July 15, 1980. -- Amended 1970 Ky. Acts ch. 257, sec. 5. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 24.

KRS 424.360 Invitation to bid on municipal bonds

424.360. Invitation to bid on municipal bonds (1) Except in the case of: (a) Bonds issued for the purpose of facilitating the construction, renovation, or purchase of new or existing housing as provided by KRS 58.125; or (b) Bonds issued and sold pursuant to any section of the Constitution or the Kentucky Revised Statutes providing for the sale of bonds at a private, negotiated sale; no sale of general obligation bonds or revenue bonds of any governmental unit, political subdivision, or agency thereof shall be made until advertisements for bids are publicized. (2) Advertisements for bids may be publicized by: (a) Newspaper publication in the area constituted by the political subdivision or governmental unit and published to afford statewide notice; or (b) Posting a notice of sale to a nationally recognized electronic bidding system. Effective: June 27, 2019 History: Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 35, sec. 4, effective June 27, 2019. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 210, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992, -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 259, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 157, sec. 1, effective July 13, 1984. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 26.

KRS 424.370 Judicial sale of real property

424.370. Judicial sale of real property Upon request made to the master commissioner by any person who will have a substantial interest in the proceeds of a judicial sale of real estate, the master commissioner shall cause the required advertisement of sale to be published in display form. History: Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 27.

KRS 424.380 Failure to comply with publication requirements

424.380. Failure to comply with publication requirements Any resolution, regulation, ordinance or other formal action of any public agency which is required to be published, that is adopted without compliance with the publication requirements of this chapter, shall be voidable by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Circuit Courts of this state shall have the jurisdiction to enforce the purposes of this chapter, by injunction or other appropriate order, upon application by any citizen of this state. The cost of all proceedings, including a reasonable fee for the attorney of the citizen bringing the action, shall be assessed against the unsuccessful party. Effective: July 15, 1982 History: Created 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 430, sec. 8, effective July 15, 1982.

KRS 424.990 Penalties

424.990. Penalties Any person who violates any provision of KRS 424.110 to 424.370 shall be fined not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500). In addition, any officer who fails to comply with any of the provisions of KRS 424.145(4), 424.220, 424.230, 424.240, 424.250, 424.290, or 424.330 shall, for each such failure, be subject to a forfeiture of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), in the discretion of the court, which may be recovered only once, in a civil action brought by any citizen of the local government for which the officer serves. The costs of all proceedings, including a reasonable fee for the attorney of the citizen bringing the action, shall be assessed against the unsuccessful party. Effective: July 15, 2020 History: Amended 2020 Ky. Acts ch. 87, sec. 3, effective July 15, 2020. -- Amended 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 168, sec. 1. -- Created 1958 Ky. Acts ch. 42, sec. 28.
Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=39285Fetched: 10/20/2026

Starting a business in Kentucky? Kentucky LLC guide: costs and requirements