Kentucky Association of Counties

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Kentucky Association of Counties

Services

County Champion

SPOTLIGHT

The County Voice



Your KACo Advocacy Team


 


Jim Henderson
Executive Director/CEO

Shellie Hampton
Director of Government Affairs

Kayla Carter Smith
Policy Analyst

 

2024 KACo Legislative Wrap-up

A 60-day legislative session requires a lot of stamina, patience and focus to keep up with the fluid work of the General Assembly. From bill filings to floor votes, there is a lot of activity to track.

With record state reserves in the rainy day fund, this budget year was unlike any in recent memory and a far cry from not too long ago when we collectively hoped for only a few percent share of state funding. Legislators tackled several other big topics as well, including medical cannabis and one of the most meaningful bills for counties in decades: HB 596, a compromise that sets the framework for a fairer annexation process for counties.

Download the 2024 Legislative Wrap-up here.

 


How county officials can impact the 2024 legislative session
By Shellie Hampton, Director of Government Affairs

We need you!

The 2024 legislative session has begun and will last for 60 legislative working days, concluding no later than midnight on April 15. This is a critical time for county officials to advocate for the needs and interests of their constituents, as well as to collaborate with state lawmakers on important policy issues.

Read more here

 


 

Kentucky Legislator Contact Information

In the link below you will 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 their 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, we hope that members will maintain contact and visit their legislators in Frankfort as bills make their way through the process.

Kentucky legislator information

 


 


News and Resources


 

SB 70 Strangulation Bill to House
Senate Bill 70 would make non-fatal strangulation a felony.
Hemp Legislation HB 197 Awaits Senate
Kentucky would expand its definition of industrial hemp to match language in the 2018 Farm Bill.
More than 1 in 7 Kentuckians live in households struggling with hunger
Almost 15 percent of Kentuckians live in households with food insecurity.
Bills on the Move
Possible new laws advanced in the legislative process the week relating to pregnant workers, felony expungement, sexual assault victims, sports wagering and more.
KACo releases new public pension guide for county officials
The public pension world is full of jargon and acronyms but understanding public pension policy is more important than ever for locally-elected officials.
Lawmakers discuss restoring voting rights to felons
A bill to automatically restore voting rights to felons upon completion of their sentence and making full restitution had its first hearing before a legislative committee.
Campaign finance e-file bill goes to governor
Legislation that would allow all elected officials in Kentucky to electronically file their campaign finance reports passed the Kentucky General Assembly.
State parks infuse millions of dollars into Kentucky counties every year
There’s a state park location in almost half of Kentucky counties.