Date: February 2, 2007
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbara.conant@aging.ks.gov
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
Registered Kansas voters over the age of 60 wanting an opportunity to advocate for senior issues and participate in the legislative process have until Feb. 14, 2007, to file for a seat on the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature. Election will be March 14, 2007.
The Kansas Silver-Haired Legislature, which has met annually since 1983, is a unicameral legislature composed of 125 representatives. Each county has one delegate and the four most populous counties, Wyandotte, Johnson, Shawnee and Sedgwick, each elects six delegates. SHL representatives are elected for two-year terms and there are no term limits for re-election.
Elections for the 2007-2009 Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (SHL) are coordinated and conducted by local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Candidates can file either by submitting a petition of 50 names or by paying a $15 filing fee. Candidates must live in the county they are elected to represent. Filing information is available from any of the 11 area agencies on aging.
Kansas is one of 24 states with a Silver Haired Legislature. The Kansas legislature for seniors meets for three days each year in Topeka to develop bills and resolutions which are presented to the Kansas Legislature and the Governor as recommendations for state policy.
“Participation in the SHL provides members an educational experience in the political process as well as an opportunity to identify priority concerns of Kansas senior citizens” Kathy Greenlee, Secretary of Aging, said.
Silver Haired Legislators advocate for the legislation by the SHL, testify during SHL committee hearings, meet with seniors in their county/district on SHL legislation affecting the elderly and attend scheduled SHL meetings.
The SHL is funded by donations and volunteer help and supported by the Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the Kansas Department on Aging.