Today, lawmakers gave final approval to a bill taking away a Kentucky governor's power to fill a US Senate vacancy.

Currently, if a seat becomes vacant, the governor can choose from three nominees selected by the departing Senators Party before a special election.

The General Assembly made that law in 2021.

Before that, the governor had sole power to appoint someone to fill the vacancy.

The Under House Bill 622 this year, the governor would have to call a special election to fill the seat.

Speaking on the Senate floor today, Senate President Robert Stivers said the winner of the special election would hold the seat for the remainder of the unexpired term.

So it would be a direct voice of the people determining how the vacancy is filled.

Not an appointment of any individual with any criteria set by the legislature.

The full Senate voted 34 to 3 to send the bill to the governor's desk.

Governor Beshear has criticized the measure.

He said that should the governor veto the bill, though, the GOP dominated legislature could override the veto.

When lawmakers return for the final two days of the session in mid-April.