Kentucky Association of Counties

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Kentucky Association of Counties

Kentucky Association of Counties

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County Champion

SPOTLIGHT

#Hub International

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

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.
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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