Kentucky Association of Counties

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Kentucky Association of Counties

The County Voice



KACo has a strong voice representing Kentucky counties at the state and federal levels. We work to promote counties first, preserve county decision making and protect counties from cost shifting and preemption of authority.



KACo Advocacy Team


Jim Henderson
Executive Director/CEO

Shellie Hampton
Director of Government Affairs

Kayla Carter Smith
Policy Analyst

2026 Legislative Priority: Reshaping the Shared Responsibility of County Jails

Kentucky county jails are at a crisis point, with fiscal court subsidies rising more than 76% in six years and counties forced to raise taxes or cut essential services just to keep their facilities operating.

KACo has published a one-page document with key points of our comprehensive jails proposal.


Know Your Legislator

Find listings for Kentucky's legislators by chamber including a short biography, committee assignments and contact information for both their Capitol office and home district.

We encourage members to meet with legislators in their district prior to the start of the legislative session to update them on issues important to counties and how those issues will affect their district in particular. During the session, stay engaged and visit legislators in Frankfort as bills make their way through the legislative process.


Legislative News

Warren Sheriff's Office Accreditation
Warren County Sheriff Jerry "Peanuts" Gaines accepted the re-accreditation award from the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police at Friday's Fiscal Court meeting.
‘Marsy's Law’ bill sponsor plans to appeal judge’s ruling
Sen. Westerfield will appeal decision that "Marsy's Law" wasn't worded clearly enough for voters and wouldn't be certified if passed.
KY voter info on dark web
Kentucky is one of 19 states whose voter information is being sold on the Dark Web, according to a report by a website that covers news for IT professionals and decision-makers.
Camp Nelson becomes a national monument
Camp Nelson, in Nicholasville, KY, was officially designated as a national monument on Saturday. Camp Nelson was a Union Army depot during the Civil War and a recruiting center for black soldiers.
Bill about hate crimes Nemes and Miller
Jefferson County legislators have filed a bill that aims to make criminal homicide and fetal homicide a hate crime in Kentucky.
Workers Compensation Black Lung
Legislation proposed would roll back the sections of the workers comp law passed this year that significantly limits the number of state-certified doctors eligible to diagnose black lung disease.
Chao TIFIA loan program
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao unveils initiative to expand access to a federal loan program that could increase rural infrastructure projects.
New Senate Standing Committee Chairs
Six out of 14 Senate standing committees will have a new chairman when lawmakers convene in January.