LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Senate signaled an indefinite pause Tuesday in impeachment proceedings against Fayette Circuit Judge Julie Muth Goodman, deferring to the Judicial Conduct Commission to investigate allegations of misconduct. The Senate Impeachment Committee voted unanimously Wednesday morning to table further proceedings, with the full Senate expected to vote on the resolution the same day.

The decision marks a dramatic shift in a contentious dispute over judicial authority and legislative power that has roiled state government for months. The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled in a 5-1 decision last week that the House violated separation of powers when it impeached Goodman in March, declaring that the allegations against her do not rise to the level of impeachable offenses.

Sen. Brandon Storm, R-London, who chairs the impeachment committee, filed Senate Resolution 297 asserting the legislature's "inviolate" power over impeachments while proposing to pause proceedings. "I cannot stress enough that the actions this committee takes today are driven by two factors only, the Senate's duties under the Constitution and fairness to the defendant," Storm said.

The resolution directs the Judicial Conduct Commission to hold "public proceedings" to review allegations House and Senate lawmakers collected. It also preserves the Senate's right to resume impeachment proceedings in the future, stating the pause does not constitute a relinquishment of that power.

The dispute centers on six cases in which former Republican state Rep. Killian Timoney alleged Goodman abused her judicial authority. One involves Tammy Botkin, a Lexington woman killed in a 2020 hit-and-run. Goodman dismissed murder charges against the defendant in 2023, but the Kentucky Court of Appeals unanimously reinstated the case in December.

Senate President Robert Stivers said lawmakers discovered the Judicial Conduct Commission was already investigating Goodman, information not initially disclosed to the House. "It is unfortunate that the existence of that was not known to the house when the inquiry early in the process was requested," Storm said.

The Judicial Conduct Commission, established by constitutional amendment in 1976, is the only entity authorized under Kentucky law to take disciplinary action against sitting judges. The commission's investigations remain confidential, though hearings become public if formal charges are filed.

Goodman's attorneys called the Supreme Court ruling a victory against government overreach, arguing it restores judges' ability to rule based on law and facts without impeachment threats. Commonwealth's Attorney Kimberly Baird testified during the House hearing that Goodman treated prosecutors unfairly and abused her judicial discretion.