Senior Tar Heel Legislature

Established to:

• Provides information to senior citizens on the legislative process and matters being considered by the North Carolina General Assembly.

• Promotes citizen involvement and advocacy concerning aging issues before the North Carolina General Assembly.

• Assess the legislative needs of older citizens by convening a forum modeled after the North Carolina General Assembly.

There is one (1) delegate to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature from each of the 100 counties in the state and most of the counties have an alternate delegate.  Delegates must be age 60 or better.

The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services provide staff support for the Senior Tar Heel Legislature in cooperation with the 16 Area Agencies on Aging who are responsible for the selection of delegates and alternates.

Since the inception of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature, delegates and alternates to the Senior Legislature have undertaken a variety of activities in their counties to help inform and educate older citizens on matters before the General Assembly and to hear from people regarding their needs. 

Currently, the Senior Tar Heel Legislature meets three (3) times a year, usually in the Triangle Area, to study issues, to hear from key resource persons and state officials, and to develop recommendations to present to the N.C. General Assembly.

The Senior Tar Heel Legislature submits three (3) to five (5) priority recommendations to the General Assembly each legislative session.  With few exceptions, the General Assembly has taken positive action, in some form or fashion, on these recommendations.

See below for  the Senior Tar Heel Delegate for your county.