| | 2025 legislative session down to the wire | |
Friday is the final day of the 30-day legislative session. The Kentucky Constitution dictates sessions must end no later than midnight on March 31 during odd-year sessions.
So far, Gov. Andy Beshear has signed 89 bills and resolutions, vetoed 29 bills and returned 10 bills without a signature that have become law.
The House and Senate spent the majority of their day Thursday overriding every gubernatorial veto issued. All bills and resolutions passed on the final two days will not have a chance to be overridden by the General Assembly if the Governor vetoes them.
Once session has ended “sine die” tonight, KACo's government affairs team will review all the work of the full session and assemble our legislative wrap-up for distribution to all members. Until then, please email us with any questions. You can reach us at shellie.hampton@kaco.org or kayla.smith@kaco.org.
| | | | LATCF recipient annual report deadline approaching | |
Recipients of the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) are responsible for submitting to Treasury an annual Obligation and Expenditure Report, which requires data on recipients’ obligations and expenditures by category of use and certification that award funds have not been used to fund lobbying activities.
Reports are due March 31, 2025.
This report covers the reporting period from Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2024. According to Treasury, 72 revenue sharing counties in Kentucky were eligible to receive these funds.
| | | | Grants totaling $19.8 million to support addiction recovery and prevention efforts | |
Seventy-five organizations across Kentucky will soon get an influx of grant funding to help people recovering from substance use disorder and implement prevention programs for children and young adults.
The Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission approved $19.8 million in grant applications this week, which were announced Thursday by Attorney General Russell Coleman.
KACo is hosting a webinar in conjunction with the Commission to help counties better understand how opioid settlement funds have been utilized so far and how local officials can put those dollars to work in their communities.
| | | | Digital version of County Line magazine available now | In the latest issue of County Line, learn more about the pivotal role deputy judge/executives play in Kentucky, along with important projects happening in Marion and Monroe counties. We also look at county government responsibility in addressing substance use disorder and much, much more. | | | | NACo Achievement Awards submission deadline extended | |
The deadline to submit applications for National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards has been extended to Friday, April 11, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Your county can earn local and national recognition for work in 18 categories covering a wide spectrum of county responsibilities.
This year application fees are waived for counties with a population of less than 50,000.
| | | | KACo welcomes new member engagement manager | |
We’re excited to welcome Sydney Blodgett to KACo! A Trigg County native, Sydney holds a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Kentucky. She joins us from The Council of State Governments, where she served as Deputy Director of National Programs.
Sydney shares, “I’m energized and excited to support Kentucky’s counties, empower local leaders, and contribute to the continued growth and prosperity of the Commonwealth. Kentucky’s future is bright, and I am honored to be a part of the KACo team!”
| | | | Check out the latest headlines from across Kentucky | |
Marshall County honors its all-volunteer rescue squad for its floodwater response efforts, the Fulton County Detention Center celebrates a repurposed facility to train inmates, Harlan County looks to rebuild its historic coal monument, Grayson County plans to form an economic development board, and more.
This week's roundup of local news includes stories from Caldwell, Floyd, Franklin, Fulton, Grayson, Harlan, Henderson, Kenton, Marshall, Pike and Webster counties.
| | | | Opioid Settlement: What’s Been Funded So Far? | |
Date: April 3, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET
Location: Virtual
Wondering how Kentucky’s share of the opioid settlement is being put to work? Join us for a detailed look at the projects funded so far by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. This session will help you better understand which types of programs and services meet the requirements outlined in the national settlement agreements and Kentucky statute—providing practical insight into how your community can responsibly and effectively use these funds.
| | | | Emergency Preparedness Series: Telecommunications Emergency Response Teams | |
Date: April 24, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. - noon ET
Location: Virtual
Emergency action plans often overlook a critical component: mutual aid for 9-1-1 dispatch centers. All emergency communications flow through the 9-1-1 Center—but what happens when those very centers are overwhelmed or in crisis themselves? That’s where the Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) comes in.
| | | | Opioid Solutions Monthly Webinar Series | Throughout 2025, KACo is hosting host a series of monthly webinars about the use of opioid settlement funds, including examples of innovative county programs and best practices. | | Warren County Judge/Executive Doug Gorman, center, met with Rep. Robert Duvall and Rep. Kevin Jackson in Frankfort. | | In a class focused on transporting passengers with special needs that was held at the Trigg County Senior Center, Judge/Executive Stan Humphries speaks to participants. | | Fulton County officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Fulton Academy for Construction Education, a training center for inmates of the Fulton County Detention Center to learn job skills such as carpentry and forklift operation. Photo by Hickman Chamber of Commerce. | | Lincoln County has been certified as StormReady by the National Weather Service. Mike Kochasic from the NWS Louisville office presented the fiscal court and emergency management personnel with a StormReady sign and certificate. | | Rockcastle County Judge/Executive Howell Holbrook talked with Jackson County Judge/Executive Shane Gabbard during a break at the KACo Leadership Institute training seminar on opioid solutions. | | Lyon County Judge/Executive Jaime Green-Smith shared her perspective at the KACo Leadership Institute training event on opioid solutions. | | KACo Opioid Settlement Advisor Lauren Carr spoke at the 2025 KMCA spring conference. | | L-R: Edmonson County Magistrate TJ Massey, Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture Jonathan Shell, and Washington County Magistrate Stephen Carney. | | Oldham County Magistrate Michael Logsdon spoke at the KMCA conference. He is the immediate past president of KMCA and KACo's 1st vice president. | | Magistrate Rich Liebe of Christian County is the 2025-26 President of the Kentucky Magistrates and Commissioners Association. | | The 2025-26 KMCA Board of Directors was installed during the KMCA spring conference. | | Rep. Patrick Flannery, chair of the House Local Government Committee, chatted with Lewis County Magistrate Mark Horsley. | | Stronger Counties. Stronger Kentucky. | | | | |
