Kentucky Association of Counties

KACo Logo

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 HB 557, 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

Medicinal marijuana bill clears House hurdle
HB 136 now returns to the full House for further action.
Public health transformation bill heads to the House
Rep. Kimberly Moser chairs the House Health and Family Services Committee and sponsored this bill.
Bill to restore 911 funding heads to Kentucky Senate
We thank Rep. Rob Rothenburger for sponsoring the legislation.
Construction starting soon on I-Move Kentucky
I-Move Kentucky is the largest, single construction project in Kentucky since the Ohio River Bridges Project was completed in 2016.
KACo supports SB5 - fiscal court approval of SPGE tax rates
KACo supports SB5, which would give Fiscal Courts the authority to approve tax rates for Special Purpose Governmental Entities (SPGEs).
Bill banning sanctuary policies heads to House
The Federal Immigration Cooperation Act of 2020 passed the state Senate on Feb. 4 by a 28-10 vote.
Kentucky hemp bill receives final passage
The Kentucky House voted 85-4 on Feb. 3 to give final passage to a bill that would create new paths for Kentucky hemp while keeping the state’s hemp program in line with federal law.
2020 Legislative Session Update: Week 4
Review of activity from the fourth week of the 2020 General Assembly.