Kentucky Association of Counties

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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 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

Pew Launches New Resource for State and Local Leaders
The Pew-MacArthur Results First Initiative has launched a new online resource center that provides case studies about the effective use of data by state and local governments.
SB 150 Concealed Carry Goes to House
The state Senate passed a measure that would allow someone to carry a concealed firearm without a license.
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.