Why LTADD Urges Passage of House Bill 557

Across the Lincoln Trail region, our county governments are facing a growing financial crisis. Between fiscal years 2019 and 2025, general fund transfers to county jails have skyrocketed by approximately 76%. This isn’t just a budget line item; it’s a direct drain on the resources that fund our county roads, emergency services, and other infrastructure.   

At our Feb. 18 meeting, the LTADD Board of Directors officially adopted a resolution calling on the Kentucky General Assembly to pass House Bill 557.   

Currently, counties are often required to house felony defendants for months, sometimes years, without reimbursement if those individuals later receive credit for time served. This practice effectively shifts state financial responsibilities onto the backs of county taxpayers, which is disproportionate across the state.   

The numbers tell the story:

• Actual Daily Cost to House an Inmate: $63.44.   
• Current State Reimbursement: $35.34.   

“County governments are being forced to divert limited local resources from essential public services to subsidize a core state responsibility,” said Timothy Graves, LTADD Board Chairman and Washington County Judge/Executive. “This is about fairness for our local taxpayers”.   

HB 557 provides a solution. Introduced by State Rep. Michael Meredith (District 18), House Bill 557 seeks to reform this broken system through several key provisions supported by LTADD:   

• Actual Cost Reimbursement: Requiring the state to pay the real costs for housing state inmates and felony defendants who receive time-served credit.   
• Regional Jail Incentives: Providing grants to encourage the creation or expansion of regional jail authorities to improve efficiency.   
• Enhanced Accountability: Ensuring high standards of care and safety by requiring daily medical professional presence and inmate programming.   
• Contractual Stability: Creating a more stable model by requiring the state to contract directly with regional authorities and county fiscal courts.   

The LTADD Board is calling on our local House delegation – Reps. Samara Heavrin, Steve Bratcher, Peyton Griffee, Nancy Tate, Josh Calloway, Ryan Bivens, Candy Massaroni, Michael Sarge Pollock, and Kim King – to co-sponsor and pass this vital legislation.   

We need your help. We encourage residents across Breckinridge, Hardin, Grayson, LaRue, Nelson, Marion, Meade, and Washington counties to contact their representatives in support of HB 557.   

By passing this bill, the General Assembly can ensure the financial burden of the justice system is shared equitably, allowing our counties to reinvest in the services you rely on every day.   

You can find your representative at the Kentucky General Assembly website.