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

June 07, 2024
Interim legislative session underway in Frankfort
Committee meeting schedule released, lawmakers assigned to special task forces
June 07, 2024
Kentucky gas tax to drop effective July 1, 2024
Tax revenue supports the state’s Road Fund, county road aid
May 24, 2024
2024 primary election results: Analysis of General Assembly races
Who’s moving on to the November general election
May 23, 2024
2024 primary election results for county officials
A handful of County offices were on the ballot for the 2024 primary election in five counties plus Commonwealth’s Attorneys in 10 judicial circuits.
May 03, 2024
2024 KACo Legislative Wrap-up
A summary of key legislation affecting counties passed by the General Assembly
April 22, 2024
Medical cannabis in your county? New legislation speeds up timetable in Kentucky
What counties need to know before Jan. 1, 2025 start date
April 19, 2024
2024 legislative session comes to a close with vetoes overridden, bills finalized
Legislators filed more than 1,200 bills this year
April 12, 2024
Veto period sees many bills sent back to legislature
Final two days of session are April 12 and April 15