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 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

July 02, 2025
Kentucky faces 287,000-unit housing shortfall by 2029
Housing task force holds first interim meeting
June 27, 2025
2025 new laws now in effect; talk of special session
Senate leadership signals readiness for a special session if needed to address tornado damaged areas
June 12, 2025
State gas tax to decrease by 1.4 cents
Drop in revenue will mean less funding for county roads
May 28, 2025
Legislative interim session to begin next week
General Assembly announces task force topics, members
May 09, 2025
Data brief: 2025 County Occupational Taxes
2025 county occupational tax rates and revenues
May 08, 2025
2025 KACo legislative wrap-up
Download our summary of bills relevant to county government
May 02, 2025
Data brief: FY 2026 insurance premium tax rates
FY 2026 fiscal court insurance premium tax rates - rates take effect July 1