It could soon be up to Kentucky voters to decide if there should be restrictions on a governor's pardoning powers.

Republican state Senator Chris McDaniel is the sponsor of Senate Bill 126, which would require amending the state's constitution to limit when a governor can exercise those powers.

Under the bill, a governor could not issue pardons beginning 30 days before a gubernatorial election and ending the day of the next inauguration.

McDaniel says the bill is in response to former Republican Governor Matt Bevin's last minute pardons for violent offenders, including people convicted of murder and child sexual abuse.

This forces any pardons the governor would wish to issue to be done in such a manner that they have to stand to account or the party whose standard bearer they are has to stand a count to the voters of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

There are those who say we should not eliminate the power to pardon, and this simply does not and this certainly does not do that.

This is 60 days out of every four years where there is a restriction on that ability.

Senate Bill 126 passed the full Senate today with 34 yes votes and two no votes and one pass vote.

If it passes the House, the constitutional amendment could be on the November ballot this year.