News & Updates

SEMAAA’s Legislative Priorities

Volunteer Drivers

SEMAAA advocates for transportation options that enable older adults to access services and reduce social isolation through continued support for volunteer drivers.

SEMAAA supports:

• Clearly defining a volunteer driver in law as not “for-hire”.
• Ensuring that volunteer drivers are not required to carry commercial insurance coverage and are not subject to for-hire or ride share regulations.
• Create a state income tax subtraction for volunteer drivers to reduce their tax liability in Minnesota.

Age-Friendly Minnesota

SEMAAA is in favor of making the Governor’s Council on Age-Friendly a permanent council.

SEMAAA supports:

• Implementing the Councils recommendations.
• Enrolling the State of Minnesota into the World Health Organization (WHO)/American Association of Retired Person (AARP) Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.
• Funding Area Agencies on Aging to provide technical assistance to communities.
• Developing an analytical tool that state agencies can utilize to assess their policies and programs while reviewing through an age-friendly vision.

Broadband

SEMAAA advocates for the expansion, implementation, and affordability of equal access for all older adults and caregivers throughout Minnesota.

SEMAAA supports:

• Fully funding the Minnesota Border-to-Border Broadband Development Program.
•  Expanding affordable broadband services throughout the State of Minnesota.
• Developing a public-private statewide telepresence strategy to maximize telehealth resources while advancing health equity.