Advocacy
Stay up-to-date on federal and state legislative activities. Learn how AARP is fighting for you in Washington D.C. and right here at home.
The 2023 legislative session was a year for advancing housing legislation, with four bills making it to the end of the session. In addition, we found solutions to help prevent utility shut-offs during extreme heat events and modernized the state’s anti-robocalling law.
Latest AARP research attaches $16.8 billion value to the estimated 770 million hours of unpaid care that family caregivers provided in 2021.
HB 1337 creates more housing options for an aging population
Visitors in Olympia may have noticed a curious sight in our State Capitol's backyard recently. In the shadow of the Legislative Building dome, AARP and housing advocates set up a model Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) to help bring attention to a new legislative effort aimed at supporting flexible housing options for people of all ages. Hundreds stopped by to tour the unit, including legislators and their staff, housing advocates and the public. More information about the event is available in AARP's news release, and in this Feb. 16 story from story from the Washington News Service.
The state legislation would prohibit utility companies from cutting off power or water service to households with past-due bills during extreme heat.
By Cathy MacCaul, AARP Washington Advocacy Director
Changes to the new WA Cares Fund also include allowing employees who live out of state and certain other groups to apply for exemptions. And the program, which was initially set to begin this year, will launch in mid-2023.
The 2022 legislative session led to a significant win for Washingtonians nearing retirement. More than a million near retirees are now eligible for benefits under the WA Cares Program.
Reject Big Pharma Lies and Help Protect Washingtonians from High Rx Costs
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