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

February 02, 2021
Legislature overrides vetoes
Part two of the Kentucky General Assembly’s 2021 Session kicked off with lawmakers overriding gubernatorial vetoes.
January 29, 2021
Governor Beshear announces four regional vaccine sites
Four regional COVID-19 vaccination sites will open Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m., Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday.
January 22, 2021
Legislative leaders address Kentuckians for Better Transportation conference
Lawmakers joined two panel discussions, both focused on the dire need for transportation investment across the Commonwealth. The common theme of both conversations was the likelihood of a gas tax being passed during this legislative session.
January 21, 2021
Kentucky launches statewide wi-fi speed test initiative
New initiative aims to assess wi-fi speeds throughout the state. Deadline to participate is Feb. 18.
January 20, 2021
NACo releases analysis of President Biden’s COVID-19 rescue plan
President Biden's nearly $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package is part of a two-part strategy, designed to support households, businesses and state and local governments through the pandemic.
January 15, 2021
Second week of legislative session dominated by budget bills
Both the House and Senate filed their preliminary budget language; however, leadership stressed that the current bills would not be the final language. Legislators will spend the next few weeks out of session, but in conference committee, working to develop the final budget language.
January 13, 2021
Budget advancement sets stage for negotiations
After a series of largely procedural votes on a one-year state budget and other spending plans, the General Assembly formed a series of committees today to hammer out the details of those plans.
January 11, 2021
Kentucky lawmakers begin budget process
A proposed one-year state budget and other spending plans were approved by the House today.