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

State Senate and House not in session Friday
Winter Storm Warning for Frankfort cancels legislative session Jan. 12.
Bill expands definition of what jail canteen funds
Bill expands definition of what jail canteen funds may be used for while maintaining the intent to use the funds for the benefit of prisoners in those jails.
HB 75
LRC eNews: Robert Weber
HB 61
Criminals who try to murder a peace officer or firefighter should serve the majority of their sentence according to a bill that gained initial approval in committee.
SB 25
A bill that would give fiscal courts veto power over new or increasing taxes and fees has passed a Senate committee.
HB 124 Opioid Crisis
Robert Weber LRC
SB 9/ HB 114 TVA Bill
Senate Bill 9/House Bill 114 would allocate more dollars to be sent back to 39 counties in Kentucky for economic development.
HB 75 update
A bill that would give local governments more ways to increase revenue is on its way to the Senate after passing the House by 95-0 vote.