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

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.
Campaign finance e-file bill goes to governor
Legislation that would allow all elected officials in Kentucky to electronically file their campaign finance reports passed the Kentucky General Assembly.
State parks infuse millions of dollars into Kentucky counties every year
There’s a state park location in almost half of Kentucky counties.
School safety bill moves toward final passage
School safety improvements in Senate Bill 1—the top legislative priority of 2019 Kentucky General Assembly leaders—moved a step closer to becoming law after being amended and passed by the Kentucky House.
HB 136 medical marijuana passes committee
A bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Kentucky is on its way to the full House for a vote.