The LRC Public Information Office provides identification badges for bona fide media professionals and registered legislative agents on a year-round basis. These secure badges allow access to most of the public entrances around the Capitol and Capitol Annex and to the chambers of the Senate and House of Representatives. They also provide access to the tunnels that link the parking structure to the Annex and the Annex to the Capitol. The process for obtaining an official LRC-issued ID badge varies based on your professional function.
News Media
Secure ID badges are available for media professionals who are actively engaged in gathering and distributing information about the Kentucky General Assembly. The LRC Public Information Office prints the badges on a first-come, first-serve basis for those who meet the criteria listed in the
General Assembly Media Credentials application.
There are a few steps for obtaining a media badge:
- Your supervisor must email a formal badge request on your behalf to Stephanie Newberg at Stephanie.Newberg@lrc.ky.gov.
- You must complete the LRC application included with the General Assembly Media Credentials. You may submit it in person, or you may email the completed form to Stephanie.Newberg@lrc.ky.gov.
- If LRC already has your badge photo on file, we will use that photo. But if you do not have a photo on file, you will need to visit Public Information to have a photo taken.
The LRC Public Information Office is located in Room 23 in the basement of the Capitol Annex. In most cases, we can print a badge within a few minutes of your visit, but there may be a wait if we have received a high volume of requests. Calling ahead will help us expedite your request. You may call 502-564-8100 and ask for the LRC Public Information Office, and a representative will assist you with the process.
Legislative Agents
All legislative agents who are registered with the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission are eligible to receive a secure official LRC ID badge. The LRC Public Information Office prints the badges on a first-come, first-serve basis. If LRC already has your photo on file, we will use that photo. If you do not have a photo on file, you will need to visit Public Information to have a photo taken.
You have three options to request a badge:
- You may call 502-564-8100 and ask for the LRC Public Information Office. A representative will take your information and schedule a time for you to pick up your new badge or have a photo taken, if necessary.
- You may email a request to Stephanie Newberg at Stephanie.Newberg@lrc.ky.gov. She will take your information and schedule a time to pick up a badge or take a photo.
- You may visit the Public Information Office in Room 23 in the basement of the Capitol Annex. In most cases, we can print a badge within a few minutes of your visit, but there may be a wait if we have received a high volume of requests. Calling ahead will help us expedite your request.
The cost for a new badge is $6, which we will bill to your employer.
Color-Coded Lanyards
The Kentucky State Police has requested that all visitors display their official LRC-issued ID badge in a conspicuous location on their person. This will allow security personnel to quickly identify you on busy days, when we have lots of guests.
The LRC strongly encourages all visitors to use lanyards. You may use your own lanyard, or LRC can supply you one free of charge in the Public Information Office.
LRC is also using a color-coded lanyard system to help visitors communicate personal boundaries during COVID-19. When picking up a badge, visitors may choose from green, yellow, red, and black lanyards, all representing a different comfort level with physical interactions.
- Black tells others you have no qualms about interactions.
- Green shows that you are open to a handshake.
- Yellow indicates that you are a bit cautious and appreciate others respecting your space.
- Red tells others that you are social distancing as much as possible.