FRANKFORT, Ky.-- The House has passed legislation that would strengthen oversight of Kentucky's more than 1,200 local taxing districts. The bill clarifies reporting requirements and sets up a system for auditing the special districts.

House Speaker Greg Stumbo says it will simplify and clarify doing business for special districts. They spend over $2.7 billion dollars a year to operate everything from rural fire departments and airports to sanitation districts and libraries.

The bill would create an online database where taxpayers can review financial reports for each taxing district. It passed 96-1 in the House and now heads to the Senate.