Kentucky Association of Counties

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Kentucky Association of Counties

Kentucky Association of Counties

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County Champion

SPOTLIGHT

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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

HB 92 Jail Security
The Senate passed a measure Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 designed to enhance security at cash-strapped count jails.
Feb 12-16
The Kentucky General Assembly’s 2018 session reached its halfway point this week. While several bills have already been delivered to the governor to be signed in to law, much of lawmakers’ work so far has focused on laying the foundation for what’s to come in the second half of the session.
Workers' Comp
A bill that would make workers’ compensation insurance more affordable for Kentucky counties is gaining momentum.
Jailer budget- KY Today
County jailers and the state medical examiners were among the groups seeking restoration of funding before a legislative committee Tuesday.
Pawnbroker passes Senate
It would get harder to pawn stolen loot under a measure that passed the state Senate by a 35-0 vote Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Terrorism Bill
The House Judiciary Committee advanced legislation today that addresses prosecution of terrorists under state statute.
House Budget
An updated 2018-20 budget that includes significant changes from the proposal Gov. Matt Bevin unveiled last month is on its way to the floor of the Kentucky House of Representatives, where it could be approved Thursday afternoon.
Budget bill now in hands of the Senate
The budget bill, House Bill 200, passed the House last week on a 76-15 vote. The bill now is in possession of the Senate, and KACo staff members are reaching out to Senate leaders and Appropriations and Revenue Committee members to review the positives and negatives for counties in the House Budget.
Kentucky Association of Counties
400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: 502-223-7667 • 800-264-5226 • Fax: 502-223-1502
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