Update on AARP NH's 2025 Legislative Agenda!

AARP New Hampshire is a strong advocate for Granite Staters 50-plus and their families. We work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to support legislation and issues that make our state a great place to live for people of all ages.

Our priorities for the 2025 legislative session include advocating for policies that help prevent fraud, provide support for family caregivers, improve access to affordable housing options, and address the rising costs of prescription drugs. We’ll be monitoring for any legislation that would reduce access to high-quality, affordable health care, hinder the affordability of prescription drugs, or reduce access to home- and community-based services.

AARP New Hampshire is committed to safeguarding consumers from the rising threats of fraud and deception practices, which can have devastating effects on individuals and communities alike. We call on lawmakers to actively track scams and fraud trends while strengthening and implementing preventive measures. AARP NH also advocates for enhanced protections against fraud and real estate transactions. These initiatives are designed to curb fraud and ensure the safety of consumers, particularly older adults. By tackling these challenges, AARP NH strives to foster a safer financial landscape for all.

Priority Legislation

• Support SB164: relative to homeowners and prohibiting certain types of service agreements.

What this means for Granite Staters:
SB164 would eliminate a deceptive real estate practice called Non-Title Recorded Agreements for Personal Services (NTRAPS) exploits homeowners, especially older adults, by offering quick cash in exchange for long-term agreements that complicate property transfers.

Get more info:
Unfair Service Agreements FAQ

Unfair Service Agreements One Pager

• Oppose HB610: relative to repealing the office of the consumer advocate.

What this means for Granite Staters: AARP NH opposes HB610 because it threatens the independence and effectiveness of the Consumer Advocate, risks diluting advocacy for residential customers due to competing priorities within the Department of Energy, and would significantly impair the office's ability to protect utility customers by reducing its already limited staff, which is crucial for Granite Staters' interests.

Where do things stand?

• SB164 has passed the Senate and is waiting to be voted on in the House. AARP NH will continue to lead the effort to pass this critical piece of legislation.
  
• HB610 was retained by the House ED&A Committee so it will not move forward this year. This is a win for Granite Staters! However, it could come back next year so we will keep you posted on what happens and how you can take action.

New Hampshire’s 168,000 unpaid family caregivers provide an estimated 157 million hours of care yearly. They assist their older parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, and other loved ones every day, enabling them to live independently in their homes – where they want to be. We are prioritizing efforts to protect and strengthen the NH Family Caregiver Program and ServiceLink, ensuring that long-term services and supports (LTSS) programs not only protect but also expand services that support and supplement caregiving by relatives, friends, and neighbors, making it more feasible for individuals to receive care at home. These programs provide respite services for family members caring for someone with dementia (NH Family Caregiver Program) and ensure that family caregivers have access to information and resources in the state through a toll-free number (ServiceLink). By securing these vital programs, we can help ensure that caregivers have the resources they need to continue their essential work and that individuals can age with dignity in their own homes.

Where do things stand?
After hearing from AARP NH and other key advocates, the House met our funding requests for these programs in their budget. That is great news but we are only halfway there as the Senate will now begin to work on their budget. AARP NH will continue to be strong advocates for caregivers through the budget process and let you know how you can raise your voice.

Get more info:
AARP NH Caregiving One Pager 2025

AARP NH is advocating for legislative action to ensure that prescription drug prices are reasonable, justified, and accessible to all consumers. A key part of this advocacy is supporting New Hampshire’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board (PDAB), which is tasked with ensuring that medications remain affordable for patients, employers, and taxpayers. The PDAB’s role is to recommend strategies that prevent patients from having to choose between affording their medications and meeting other basic needs, such as food or housing. By promoting transparency and accountability, the PDAB aims to address the factors driving high drug costs and reduce the financial burden on consumers. This effort is especially important for the Granite State's aging population, many of whom rely on medications to manage chronic health conditions.

Priority Legislation:

• Support HB645: relative to data collection and reporting requirements of the prescription drug affordability board.

What this means for Granite Staters: HB645 will enable the New Hampshire Prescription Drug Affordability Board to access necessary data from state agencies, helping them reduce prescription drug costs for Granite State families.

• Support HB570: repealing the prescription drug affordability board.

What this means for Granite Staters: HB570 was amended in the House to repeal the NH Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Repealing the board would eliminate the only board in NH dedicated towards identifying ways to lower the costs of prescription drugs for folks in NH.

Where do things stand?

• HB645 has been tabled which means it will not move forward or be killed at this moment. We will continue to monitor this legislation.
  
• After advocacy from AARP New Hampshire and other organizations, we successfully defeated the effort to repeal the NH Prescription Drug Affordability Board. However, during House budget negotiations, the Board was defunded. We will continue to advocate to the Senate to fund the Board as they begin work on their budget.

AARP NH is urging lawmakers to focus on housing solutions that enable older adults to live safely and independently within their communities. Expanding affordable housing options, addressing the cost of staying in one's home, and encouraging innovative approaches like accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are critical steps toward ensuring that New Hampshire remains livable for people of all ages. Housing stability is a top priority for older Granite Staters. The vast majority (85%) of adults age 45+ in New Hampshire say it is extremely or very important to stay in their own homes as they age. However, nearly two-thirds express concern about their ability to afford to remain in their homes long-term.

To address these challenges, policies that increase housing affordability and flexibility are essential. One promising solution is to give Granite Staters more flexibility in creating ADUs on their property. These smaller, secondary housing units provide a practical option for older adults to age in place, live near family caregivers, or generate rental income to offset housing costs. By supporting innovative housing policies like ADUs, New Hampshire can help older residents maintain their independence and strengthen communities across the state.

Priority Legislation

• Support HB577: relative to modifying the definition of ADUs.

What this means for Granite Staters: HB577 aims to support Granite Staters by expanding accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to provide affordable housing for older adults, opportunities for caregivers to live with loved ones, and additional income for homeowners.

• Support SB84 - relative to zoning procedures concerning residential housing.

What this means for Granite Staters: AARP NH believes SB84 is a crucial step towards addressing the housing needs of our community, particularly for seniors who are looking to downsize. This bill will facilitate the construction of more housing, including middle housing, which is essential for creating diverse and affordable living options.

Where do things stand?

• HB577 has passed the House and is waiting to be voted on in the Senate.
  
• SB84 has passed the Senate and is waiting to be voted on in the House. AARP NH will continue to advocate in support of both of these bills as they move forward.

AARP NH advocates on issues such as Social Security, caregiving, financial security, independent living, health care, utilities and internet access, age discrimination, prescription drug prices and more. We can’t do it without people just like you who share an aspiration to make a difference and improve the quality of life for residents of all ages. Join a team where you can make an impact in your community.

Here are two ways to get involved:

• If you are interested in participating in AARP NH’s advocacy work or have any questions, please contact Mike Padmore, AARP NH’s Associate State Director of Advocacy and Outreach at mpadmore@aarp.org.
• Text JOIN to 22777 to subscribe to recurring text messages from AARP to stay up-to-date with advocacy information and alerts.