Kentucky Association of Counties

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Kentucky Association of Counties

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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


 

Lawmakers pass public pension plan in late-night session
Health departments, regional public universities and other quasi-governmental agencies will have to vote to stay in KRS with a frozen contribution rate for one year.
Sine Die: 2019 Session Wraps Up
The General Assembly's 2019 session came to a close Thursday evening with more than 200 bills approved.
Kentucky counties among highest in opioid prescriptions
In almost 1/3 of Kentucky counties, enough opioid prescriptions were dispensed in 2017 for every person in the county to have one. That being said, opioid prescriptions are declining in the state.
Bevin vetoes public pension bill, plans to call special session
Gov. Matt Bevin vetoed House Bill 358 which would have affected county health departments, regional public universities and other quasi-governmental agencies.
What you need to know about Bevin's likely special pension session
Bevin vetoed a pension bill that would affect county health departments and intends to call a special session to address that legislation. Some health departments say they'll have to close without some pension relief.
16 counties targeted for help through $87 million grant awarded to U.K.
The University of Kentucky has been awarded an $87 million federal grant – the largest in the institution’s history – to reduce opioid deaths by 40 percent in 16 counties in the Commonwealth.
Gov. Bevin on pension bill: ‘It’s getting done’
Gov. Matt Bevin says legislation is ready and a special session will be called in May to provide relief for health departments and other quasi-governmental agencies who face a huge jump in pension costs July 1.
Regional University Presidents Endorse Bevin’s Pension Plan
Regional university presidents in Kentucky have endorsed a pension proposal drafted by Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration that would affect county health departments.