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

August 26, 2022
Lawmakers pass disaster relief package in special session
The bipartisan legislation passed both chambers today and was signed by the Governor this afternoon.
August 25, 2022
Legislators unveil eastern Kentucky flood relief bill
Wednesday, legislators introduced HB1 (Rep. John Blanton) and SB1 (Senate President Robert Stivers) that provide funding for flood relief in Eastern Kentucky.
August 23, 2022
Gov. Beshear calls special session to address Eastern Kentucky flood relief
The special session will begin this Wednesday, August 24 at noon.
August 12, 2022
New judicial commission on mental health launched
Officials have announced the creation of the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health.
July 15, 2022
Task Force studying EMS challenges begins its work
The first task force meeting provided education on emergency medical services in Kentucky.
July 15, 2022
New laws impacting jails, elections and open meetings go into effect
The new laws went into effect July 14.
June 24, 2022
Testimony sheds light on counties’ expenses for housing pre-adjudicated inmates
Tuesday, staff members from the Department of Corrections testified before the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government to share the fiscal impact of HB 211 from the 2022 legislative session.
May 20, 2022
2022 primary election results for state legislators
Tuesday night was a busy night for both county officials on the primary election ballot and candidates for state office.