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.
Your relationship with your legislators is critical to any legislative successes. County officials have a unique perspective and expertise on the challenges and opportunities facing their communities, and they can play a vital role in shaping the laws and budgets that affect them.
- Share your cell phone numbers and email addresses with all of your legislators.
- Follow them on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. If you’re not using at least one of these social media outlets, you are missing out on information you won’t always see in a newspaper.
- Be sure to follow KACo on Facebook and X at @KACo.
Now that session is in full swing, keep in touch with your senators and representatives! Often, when we ask a legislator to support or oppose a bill, the first thing we hear is “I haven’t heard from my (county official) on that, so it must not be important.”
When you open the KACo newsletter email each Friday during the session, you’ll find the weekly update. You can access this same information on our website by visiting here. Email or call us during session with any information, questions or concerns you have that can help us help you.
Take the time now to discuss your county needs with your legislators. As always, KACo staff members and your association representatives will be at the Capitol working together to represent your interests.
Email Shellie Hampton at shellie.hampton@kaco.org or Gracie Kelly at gracie.kelly@kaco.org, or call us at 800-264-5226 with your questions or comments. Here are some ways that county officials can participate in the 2024 Kentucky legislative session:
Stay informed. Follow the legislative calendar here and track the bills that are relevant to your county. You can use the Legislative Research Commission website here to access bill summaries, committee schedules, live video streams and other resources.
Communicate with your legislators. Establish and maintain a positive relationship with your state senator and representative. Let them know your priorities and concerns and, if they’ve helped in any way, say thanks. You can find their contact information on the Legislative Research Commission website here.
Watch or attend committee hearings. Tune in online to live committee meetings here.
Leverage your collective voices and advocate for common causes. KACo works with all county affiliates to educate and advocate for the county cause.
Respond to legislative alerts from KACo.
Bring your legislators to the County Officials Legislative Reception. You can show your support or opposition to certain bills or issues by attending this annual reception at KACo. Register to attend here.
Let us help you write an op-ed or a letter to the editor. You can use your local newspaper or online platform to express your opinion on a bill or issue that matters to your county. You can also highlight the achievements and challenges of your county and how legislation can help or hinder them.
Here are some helpful session resources available through the Legislative Research Commission:
- Daily posting of bills as they are filed, including a summary, sponsor names, full text and any action taken that day on the bill; go to the LRC website here to review those bills after they are filed each day of session, through Feb. 26 for new House bills and through Feb. 28 for new Senate bills.
- A daily Legislative Calendar listing the committee meetings for that day, the committee roster and an agenda if one is ready at post time.
- Full access to all facets of the legal basis for Kentucky Laws: the Kentucky Revised Statutes, the Kentucky Constitution and Kentucky Administrative Regulations.
- A link to view the televised committee meetings in the mornings and both chambers at work during their 2 p.m. EST floor sessions here.
- A short biography and contact information of all 138 members of the General Assembly.
By participating in the 2024 session, county officials can make a difference for their counties and the state and can strengthen relationships with legislators for the future.
