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

March 10, 2021
Congress passes new COVID relief package, including aid to states and local governments
Congress has now passed the American Rescue Plan Act with an estimated $2.4 billion in direct aid to the state and millions of dollars in much-needed aid for Kentucky counties.
March 08, 2021
See what the newest federal COVID relief bill could mean for your county
The American Rescue Plan Act was passed by the U.S. Senate last week and now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives with an estimated $874 million in direct aid to Kentucky counties.
March 05, 2021
Federal legislation would allocate $807 million in relief for Kentucky counties
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 proposes direct county allocation based on population of $60.1 billion.
March 05, 2021
2021 General Assembly - Regular Session Legislative Update
Friday, March 5, marked the 24th legislative day and the short, 30-day session is wrapping up. Despite the limited number of workdays remaining and legislation moving quickly, bills focused on county legislative priorities are on the move.
March 04, 2021
HB 320 heads to the Senate, provides $250 million in funding for broadband (1)
HB 320, sponsored by Rep. Brandon Reed and co-sponsored by Rep. Jason Petrie, sets aside $250 million in funding to provide broadband access to unserved and underserved areas in Kentucky and allows electric coops to deploy broadband services.
March 04, 2021
Legislative issues advance, big boost to broadband funding proposed
Wednesday marked the 22nd legislative day and the short, 30-day session is wrapping up. Despite the limited number of work days remaining and legislation moving quickly, bills focused on county legislative priorities are on the move.
March 03, 2021
Beshear appoints KACo representative, two others to CERS Board of Trustees
During his decades of work, Hackbart’s research has focused on managing public finances including debt management, public pension funds, popular financial reporting and state government structural budget issues.
March 01, 2021
House passes American Rescue Plan Act: $1.9 trillion COVID relief package
Read NACo’s analysis of the American Rescue Plan Act and see county-level funding estimates.