FRANKFORT, Ky. — Legislative leaders today named Jay D. Hartz as the next director of the Legislative Research Commission.
Hartz, the deputy chief of staff in the Senate President’s Office, is a familiar figure to many in the State Capitol, where he’s known for his extensive knowledge on legislative operations and policymaking. He’s also known for his good humor and the colorful bowties he frequently favors.
When Hartz assumes the duties of LRC director on June 1, he will bring nearly 25 years of experience in policy development, legislative procedure, and people management to the position.
As LRC Director, Hartz will be responsible for the performance of nonpartisan staff employed by the General Assembly and for ensuring that high quality, professional services are provided to the legislature.
“I’m humbled by the responsibilities I will assume as Director of the Legislative Research Commissions, and I look forward to building on the strengths inherent in LRC’s nonpartisan staff structure,” Hartz said.
House Speaker David Osborne said Hartz’s background and experience give him a unique skill set to successfully lead a legislative staff.
“Throughout his career, Jay Hartz has shown great integrity and earned the respect of legislators in both chambers and both parties, as well as staff members throughout the agency,” Osborne said. “He is a consummate professional and possesses both the understanding of the legislative process and the institutional knowledge of the Kentucky General Assembly that we were looking for in a new LRC Director.”
Prior to serving in his current position of Deputy Chief of Staff, Hartz served as the director of Legislative Operations in the Senate President’s Office and served two terms as the chief clerk of the Senate, the chief administrative officer for the chamber.
Hartz is chair of the Southern Legislative Conference’s STARS Committee, a member of the Council for State Government’s Suggested State Legislation Committee and serves on the Board of Directors at the Ashbrook Center for Public Affairs.
A graduate of the Honors Program at Ashland University where he was an Ashbrook Scholar and earned the James Madison Award, Hartz went on to receive a master’s at Villanova University where he held an Earhart Fellowship.
Hartz resides in Simpsonville with his wife Kim and son Alex.
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