On March 4, Kentucky HB 141 passed the Senate. HB 141 is the first ballot access improvement bill to pass out of a legislature, so far in 2005. It removes the restriction on petitioning for president in the odd year before an election. It also removes the requirement that minor party and independent candidates for president file any declaration of candidacy in advance of turning in signatures. The bill was backed by the Secretary of State and passed in both houses unanimously.