June 27, 2025

2025 new laws now in effect; talk of special session

Most of the more than 140 bills passed by the General Assembly during the 2025 legislative session are now in effect as of Friday, June 27.

Senate leaders joined representatives of the state's constitutional offices this week for a press conference to review newly enacted laws and affirm their readiness to convene a special session, should the Governor call for one, to provide additional support to communities impacted by the deadly May 16 tornado.

New requirements for reporting opioid settlement funds

A new web-based system launches July 1 to make it easier for Kentucky counties and cities to report how they are using opioid settlement funds in their community.

A revised state regulation now requires counties and cities to report annually how much opioid settlement funding they have received and how those funds have been awarded. The new process is more detailed and user-friendly than the initial reporting methodology used by the state, ensuring greater transparency and accountability.

As temps rise, it's important to make heat stress prevention a priority

KYSAFE reminds Kentucky employers of their legal responsibility to protect workers from heat-related illnesses. Remember to:

• Monitor employees and provide sufficient water, rest breaks and access to shade.
• Allow employees to gradually acclimate to hot working conditions.
• Be prepared for heat illness emergencies and know what to do.

NACo disaster task force extends work into fall

In a pivotal moment for national disaster policy, NACo has announced the continued work of its Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force into the fall, following key developments including the release of the FEMA Act discussion draft and heightened engagement with the FEMA Review Council.

Over the past year, the task force has conducted high-level engagements with Congress, the White House and the Department of Homeland Security, pushing for more streamlined, reasonable and locally informed approaches to disaster response, recovery and mitigation.

Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky

• Webster County in limbo with FEMA on bridge replacement 
• Christian County OKs ordinances for transient room taxes, special purpose vehicles
• Caldwell Fiscal Court approves city takeover of City-County Park
• Gov. Andy Beshear announces new companies coming to South Central Kentucky
• Business expansion adding new jobs in Muhlenberg County
• ‘Time is everything’: Montgomery Co. braces for potential hospital closure
• Pulaski County makes no decision on US 111
• Scott County first responders help deliver baby
• Harlan County passes special vehicle ordinance
• Kentucky Senate ready for special session to address tornado disaster funds
• Urgent call for help at Franklin County flood relief center
• Edmonson County passes first reading of increased fire dues

Training Opportunities

Senate Bill 63: What counties need to know about street-legal special purpose vehicles

Senate Bill 63, passed during the 2025 Regular Session, gives counties and cities the authority to adopt an ordinance and allow street-legal special purpose vehicles on highways within their jurisdictional boundaries. The new law takes effect June 27. KACo’s webinar will cover the key provisions of SB 63, including the legislative intent, requirements for street-legal special purpose vehicles, registration process, local government authority, safety and inspection standards, and how the law interacts with farm exemptions. 

Date: July 9, 2025

Time: 2-3 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Navigating the Local Assistance Road Program: Application updates & demonstration for county officials

Join KACo and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for an informative webinar tailored for county officials to learn about the newly established Local Assistance Road Program (LARP), which replaces the County Priority Projects Program (CPPP). This webinar will feature a detailed explanation of LARP, including a live demonstration of the revised application process.

Date: July 17, 2025

Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Get prepared for the new opioid reporting system for local governments

KACo is offering a virtual training opportunity on the new local government opioid settlement reporting portal that will launch on July 1, 2025. Representatives from the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission will cover portal navigation, reporting requirements and best practices.

Date: July 22, 2025

Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

2025 Wrap VR System – Train the Trainer (makeup class)

A new virtual reality training system called the WRAP system is now available for sheriffs and jailers. Any department requesting to utilize the WRAP system must send at least one trainer to a mandatory training class at KACo. This one-day training will include WRAP operation overview, safety, legal review, knowledge base and tactics, scenario review, scenario coaching and testing and documentation. 

Date: July 23, 2025

Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET

Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort

Cost: Free

Advancing local solutions: Best practices for opioid settlement implementation

This one-day, in-person training is designed to support county leaders and stakeholders in maximizing the impact of opioid settlement funds through proven local strategies. The training includes an immersive visit and lunch at Recovery Café Frankfort to see community-based recovery in action. 

Date: July 29, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ET

Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort

Cost: $25 member/$35 non-member

Ethics, open records and open meetings for county officials

Join KACo staff attorney Rich Ornstein for a practical and informative half-day training focused on the ethical and legal responsibilities of county officials. This session will cover the core principles of local government ethics codes, compliance with Kentucky’s Open Records and Open Meetings Acts, and best practices for maintaining transparency and accountability in local government.

Date: August 5, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

Location: KACo HQ, 400 Englewood Drive, Frankfort

Cost: $30 member/$45 non-member

Date: September 23, 2025

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. CT

Location: Green River Area Development District, Owensboro

Cost: $30 member/$45 non-member

This week in pictures

Members of the Christian County Fiscal Court attended Fort Campbell's Change of Command ceremony and thanked Colonel Christopher J. Midberry for his service.

Knott County Judge/Executive Jeff Dobson (center) joined local leaders in dedicating the new Chestnut Ridge neighborhood.

A new sign on U.S. 62 in Lyon County honors the Lyon County High School baseball team, which won the 2025 All "A" State Championship.

Rowan County Judge/Executive Harry Clark testified at the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government this week about the impact of area development districts.

KACo's Shellie Hampton and Jim Henderson presented to members of the Interim Joint Committee on Local Government about county tax revenue.

Union County Judge/Executive and KACo President-elect Adam O'Nan helped lead the discussion of county jails during the annual KACo Board of Directors strategic planning session.

Congrats to the KACTFO 2025 Scholarship Winner, Leah Hunley. Pictured (from left): Union County Treasurer Lissa Gibson, winner Leah Hunley, Union County Administrative Assistant Jill Hunley and Union County Finance Officer Kim Nance

Butler County Clerk Sherry Embry Johnson and KACo's Jim Henderson snapped a photo at the county clerks' conference in Lexington.

Staff from the Fulton County Transit Authority used a KACo safety grant to purchase a Rovi wheelchair, which will be used for driver training.

Warren County Jailer Stephen Harmon accepted a safety grant from KACo's Michael Ray.

Webster County Judge/Executive Steve Henry accepted a safety grant check from KACo's Michael Ray.

Rounding out our safety grant recipients was Harlan County Judge/Executive Dan Mosley.

Anderson County Clerk Jason Denny (right) took a picture with Paul Eldridge, who was the first resident of Anderson County to license his Polaris Ranger now that Senate Bill 63 has taken effect.

Marshall County Judge/Executive Kevin Spraggs now has his own street legal special purpose vehicle registered. He's pictured with County Clerk Crissy Greer.

The Spencer County Sheriff's Office is already conducting inspections of street legal special purpose vehicles.