Thank you to our members who worked alongside KACo Advocacy staff on behalf of county governments this session. You are the best champions for counties in the halls of the Capitol!
After 60 working days, the General Assembly gaveled out of session late Wednesday night. In the final two days of session, legislators focused on overriding gubernatorial vetoes and passing remaining legislation before adjournment.
Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed 30 bills in their entirety and issued line-item vetoes on an additional six appropriation bills. As in previous years, the General Assembly overrode every veto except for a few line items in HB 500, the executive branch budget.
Fifteen bills passed in the final two days, but are subject to veto by the governor, with no opportunity for the legislature to override them. Two of those measures were “cleanup” bills intended to make changes to legislation passed earlier in the session:
- SB 197 makes minor adjustments to HB 500, the executive branch budget, and HB 900, the one-time funding bill appropriating $1.77 billion from the Budget Reserve Trust Fund.
- HB 869 makes adjustments to the revenue bill, HB 757, including additional amendments related to tax increment financing (TIF) programs and requiring most public agency publications and notices to post meeting times in both eastern and central time zones.
KACo is working on comprehensive session wrap-up that will be sent to members. In the meantime, here are some of the bills affecting counties that passed this year:
- $68 million in FY2027 in the Local Assistance Road Program for county road funding (HB 501, HJR 76)
- Extension of state grant programs including KWWATERS for water and wastewater projects (HB 651), the GRANT matching funds program (HB 622) and Kentucky Product Development Initiative fund (SB 197)
- Substance use jail alternative pilot program extension (SB 90)
- Electronic vehicle titling (SB 110)
Other high-profile issues saw some movement in the legislature but ultimately did not receive final passage, including comprehensive housing legislation (SB 9), proposed changes to local alcohol regulatory license fees (HB 9), and optional authority for certain county officials to provide driver license renewal services (SB 7). Note: Lawmakers approved funding for three new regional driver license offices and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced this week a new driver licensing system that will launch in June.
KACo member briefing April 29
County officials are encouraged to join us virtually Wednesday, April 29 at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT for a full rundown and Q&A of the 2026 legislative session. Click here to register for this membership briefing.
