What effective date did Kentucky's AG predict for 1992 laws if lawmakers adjourned April 15?

Plain-English summary

The Legislative Research Commission asked for the effective date of ordinary legislation from Kentucky's 1992 regular session if the General Assembly adjourned on April 15. The Attorney General answered July 15, 1992, applying Section 55's ninety-day period to that assumed adjournment date.

The condition did not occur. A later official opinion says the legislature “adjourned on April 14 instead of April 15” and therefore made “ordinary legislation effective on July 14, 1992.” The July 15 date in this original opinion was a forecast, not the date the AG ultimately gave after adjournment.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1992. Subsequent statutory amendments, court decisions, or later AG opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context, not current legal advice. Verify current law before relying on any specific rule, deadline, or remedy mentioned here.

Common questions

Why did this opinion give July 15 as the effective date?

It answered a conditional question: if the legislature adjourned April 15, ordinary laws would take effect ninety days later, on July 15.

Was July 15 the date used after the 1992 session ended?

No. The AG's later correction says the legislature adjourned April 14 and ordinary legislation became effective July 14, 1992.

Background and references

The opinion cited Section 55 of the state constitution for the ninety-day period. Its analysis was only a date calculation using a proposed April 15 adjournment; the later opinion supplied the actual adjournment date.

Source

• Landing page: https://www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/Opinions/Opinions/OAG92-012.htm
• Later official correction: https://www.ag.ky.gov/Resources/Opinions/Opinions/OAG92-072.htm

Original opinion text

OAG 92-12

January 29, 1992

Vic Hellard, Jr.

Director, Legislative Research Commission

State Capitol

Frankfort, Kentucky 40601

Dear Mr. Hellard:

You have asked the effective date of ordinary legislation for the 1992 regular session if the legislature adjourns on April 15, 1992.

Section 55 of the state constitution says that laws become effective ninety days after adjournment. The effective date for ordinary 1992 legislation will therefore be July 15, 1992.

Sincerely,

Chris Gorman

Attorney General

Ross T. Carter

Assistant Attorney General