County officials from across Kentucky convened in Frankfort this week to engage with their legislators on key issues relevant to counties. Following a day of meetings and committee discussions Wednesday, hundreds of county leaders and lawmakers attended the County Officials Legislative Reception at KACo Headquarters.
KACo thanks all its members and affiliate organizations who continue to make this annual event a success!
Week 3 legislative update
With the bill filing deadlines quickly approaching – Feb. 18 in the Senate and Feb. 19 in the House – legislators continue to draft legislation for consideration this session. More than 700 bills have been filed to date.
Many bills moved out of committee this week, including bills that impact counties:
HB 211, sponsored by Rep. Chris Lewis (R-Jefferson), also passed out of House Local Government Tuesday. The bill would allow cigar bars to operate anywhere that businesses with quota retail drink licenses can operate. Local governments would be allowed to enact ordinances requiring cigar bars to obtain annual permits, inspection of facilities and other information and documentation.
HB 152, sponsored by Rep. Michael Meredith (R-Edmonson), passed out of the House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection Committee this week. The bill creates a new Medicaid supplemental payment program for public ground ambulance providers that would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Ground ambulance providers owned or operated by counties, cities, and special districts would be eligible to participate. The program is voluntary and would allow these providers to receive additional federal funding for Medicaid transports if they pay the state Medicaid match for the supplemental program and an administrative fee retained by the Department of Medicaid Services, resulting in a net gain.
SB 67, sponsored by Senate State and Local Committee Chairman Michael Nemes (R-Bullitt), passed out of committee Wednesday. The bill proposes a constitutional amendment to freeze real property valuations of houses maintained as the permanent residence of an owner who is 65 years of age or older. The proposed freeze would be in addition to the current homestead exemption and would only exempt increases in real property values that occur after the date of ratification.
HB 71, sponsored by Rep. Robert Duvall (R-Warren), passed out of the House State Government Committee this week. The bill establishes the Office of Financial Management within the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority starting July 1, 2025. This proposal allows more internal oversight on operations of the system, including investments, as it elevates the position of chief financial officer, enabling participation and input at the highest levels of decision making.
HB 182, sponsored by Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon (R-Madison), also passed out of the House State Government Committee this week. The bill prohibits the state and local governments from utilizing the word "free" in the description of any benefit, product, or service financed with public funds.
Email your questions or comments to shellie.hampton@kaco.org or kayla.smith@kaco.org.Important legislative dates
Feb. 18 – Last day to file a new Senate bill
Feb. 19 - Last day to file a new House bill
Mar. 15 -26 – Veto recess
Mar. 27-28 – Final two days of 2025 session
