The Gist
State Representative, 12th District
Photo of Jim Gooch Jr.
Jim Gooch Jr.Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

Jim Gooch Jr.

Candidate for State Representative, 12th District

RepublicanIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative; insurance agent
Lives in
Providence

State representative for District 12 (Crittenden, McLean, Union and Webster counties) since 1995; he chairs the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. An insurance agent and former mayor of Providence.

Report

Photo: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

Documented positions

Environment & parks

  • Sponsored law creating state permits for carbon dioxide storage.In office

    HB 677 (2026) sets permit requirements for carbon dioxide facilities and sequestration wells. It became law without the governor's signature (Acts Ch. 152).

    2026 Regular Session HB 677: AN ACT relating to energy production and byproduct management.

    Government record · Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · apps.legislature.ky.gov

    “require and specify the types of permits required before constructing or operating a carbon dioxide facility”
    Report
  • Sponsored law limiting air-quality enforcement to EPA-accepted data methods.In office

    HB 137 (2025) became law without the governor's signature (Acts Ch. 79).

    2025 Regular Session HB 137: AN ACT relating to air quality monitoring.

    Government record · Kentucky Legislative Research Commission · apps.legislature.ky.gov

    “a method or test that produces defensible, quality-assured data that is accepted by the EPA”
    Report

All sources (12)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.