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SEMAAA’s 2021 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.