LRC Public Information: Rep. Jason Petrie (left) and House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy look over various proposals Tuesday for state’s next biennial budget.

The House executive branch (HB 6) and judicial branch (HB 264) budget proposals were filed on Tuesday. The House transportation budget is still awaiting release. In addition, several county-related bills saw movement: 

HB 5 passed the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday. It creates harsher penalties for violent crimes and spotlights new consequences for homeless encampments. 

HB 53 received an informational-only hearing and would require the Attorney General to randomly select, in all counties, at least one ballot scanner and one race tabulated on that scanner for a hand-to-eye recount to be performed by each county clerk. 

HB 137 passed the House unanimously today. The bill removes the residency requirement for assistant county attorneys.  

SB 10 passed on the Senate floor this week 26-9. The bill would propose an amendment to the constitution to move elections for state constitutional officers, including the governor’s race, to even-numbered years beginning after the 2027 election. 

SB17 passed on the Senate floor this week unanimously. The bill would create efficiencies for families and coroners by issuing the medical certification after any medical tests results are conclusive. 

A proposed $124.8 billion two-year spending plan was unveiled in the Kentucky House Tuesday, legislation that the head of the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee characterized as a “robust, fiscally conservative budget.”

Rep. Jason Petrie (R-Todd County), Chair of the House A&R Committee, filed HB 6 as the proposed executive branch budget for the FY2025-2026 biennium.

Rep. Adam Bowling (left) and Rep. Josh Bray were named vice chairs of the House Appropriations & Revenue committee this week. The committee, chaired by Rep. Jason Petrie, plays a large role in the development of the House budget proposal.

Bowling and Bray replaced former Rep. Brandon Reed, who resigned his legislative seat to take a position with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Rep. Bray was previously vice chair of the House Local Government committee. With his move to A&R, Rep. Ken Fleming is now the vice chair of the Local Government committee.

Do you have questions about comp time within your county office? Rich Ornstein, KACo's staff attorney, has the answers.

Remember, you are your car's best safety feature. Take precautions to ensure you arrive safely at your destination.

The National Safety Council has important tips for staying safe while driving in wintry weather in addition to annual maintenance.

Does your finance office have all the best support to meet the needs of your taxpayers effectively and efficiently?



If you’re not sure, at three+one, they’re aware that this is not a unique situation to you and your colleagues.

Join hundreds of county officials from across the Commonwealth as we honor the members of the 2024 General Assembly at KACo headquarters in Frankfort on Feb. 21, 2024 from 4:30 – 7 p.m. EST.

Officials are encouraged to attend the March 4-6 Legal & Liability Risk Management Institute (LLRMI) in Las Vegas at the Palace Station Hotel & Casino.

Those especially encouraged to attend are sheriffs, jail administrators, risk managers, loss control specialists and those working in insurance pools.