Kentucky Association of Counties

KACo Logo

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

Senator Thomas proposes election bills for voting age and early voting
Senator Reginald Thomas announces that he will file two election bills that could have a big impact on Kentucky county clerks.
House standing committee chairs announced
The House Standing Committee chairs that will serve for the next two years have been announced. Six committee chairs have changed.
Senate Democrats Leadership Team
Kentucky Senate Democrats elected their leadership team for the next two years.
KY Chamber of Commerce legislative agenda 2019
Some of the chamber's legislative priorities include: modernization of unemployment insurance, bail reform, improving Kentucky's legal climate, supporting sports wagering and tobacco-free schools.
BUILD grant funding for counties
U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced today that three Kentucky counties will receive over $59 million total in grant funding for transportation infrastructure projects.
Bevin special session
Gov. Bevin calls Kentucky legislators into a special session beginning at 8:00 p.m. this evening.
CERS Contribution Rates 2019-20 fiscal year
The Kentucky Retirement Systems Board of Trustees voted to approve CERS contribution rates for nonhazardous and hazardous employees.
Election bills SB4 and SB5
Two election-related bills advanced out of the Senate Committee on State and Local Government today.