PRESIDENT: Katy Hoffman, Johnson County, PSA 11, kmrhoffman@gmail.com

1^st VICE-PRESIDENT: Sherri Grogan, Leavenworth County, PSA1, sdr7304@gmail.com

2^nd VICE-PRESIDENT: Mary Penrose, Johnson County, PSA11, penrose.mary@gmail.com

SECRETARY: Donna Lehane, Sedgwick County, PSA 2, stillinadream@sbcglobal.net

TREASURER: Gary Scott, Johnson County, PSA 11, scottskufhsu@gmail.com

SPEAKER: Leroy Burton, Butler County, PSA 2, leburton@cox.net

SPEAKER PRO TEM: Chuck Schmidt, Sedgwick County, PSA 2, cschmidt3131@gmail.com

FLOOR LEADER: Jay Rowh, McPherson County, PSA 8, jayandritarowh@gmail.com

ASSISTANT FLOOR LEADER: Marvin Singleton, Johnson County, PSA 11, doctorsingleton@yahoo.com

Created by an Act of Congress in 1969, each state was encouraged to create a body of Seniors who would identify issues important to older Kansas adults 60+ and to educate the Kansas Legislature about those issues.

The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature was created by Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1649, which was passed by the 1982 Legislature.  It created a unicameral legislature composed of 125 representatives.  All are 60+ years old and are elected from their county of residence.

Wyandotte, Johnson, Shawnee and Sedgwick have five additional representatives.

1. To identify priority concerns of Kansans older than 60;
2. To develop bills and resolutions designed to address those identified concerns; and
3. To present those resolutions to the Kansas Legislature and Governor as recommendations for state policy.

1. Advocate for the KSHL Legislation with State Legislators.
2. Testify at hearings held regarding KSHL Legislation.
3. Meet with seniors in their county anddistrict about legislation affecting older adults.

Any Kansan 60 or older who is a registered voter may file for candidacy. The term of office is two years and members may file for re-election.

The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature meets each fall for three days in Topeka, Kansas.

1. Silver Haired Legislators (SHL) elections are conducted by Area Agencies on Aging every 2 years. Voting normally occurs in every odd numbered year, dates and times to be determined.
2.  Candidates and voters must live in the district in which they are voting, be a registered voter, and 60 or older.
3.  Candidate registration forms, petitions, and filing instruction are available from the Area Agencies on Aging.

Some reimbursement is made for travel to the annual legislative session. When the budget allows, lodging and some meals for the session are covered.

The Silver Haired Legislature is supported by donations and volunteer help. Contributions are tax deductible and may be made payable to the SHL Treasurer and sent the Treasurer or to an Area Agency on Aging (AAA).

To become a candidate, obtain rules and procedures from the AAA or the SHL office. If not a candidate, support your representatives and suggest legislation about issues that concern older Kansans.

A Grandparents' Rights Bill was prepared by the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature to open the way for judges overseeing custody cases to consider grandparents as potential guardians for their grandchildren if their relationship with the children was a viable alternative to foster care. The grandparents-as-guardians option will benefit children and reduce Kansas expenditures.

The legislation was suggested to the Kansas Legislature; gathered support and sponsorship; was passed by both the Kansas House of Representatives and Kansas Senate and signed into law by Governor Brownback.

In the 2017 legislative session, the SHL was successful in getting $2.1 million restored to the Senior Care Act which helps keep seniors in their own homes and helps keep seniors off of Medicaid. The cost difference to the state is $200 per month for SCA services compared to $3,000 to $4,000 per  month in a care facility.

The Elections and Credentials shall be responsible for the election of KSHL representatives statewide. With our current roster having several counties without a Silver Haired Legislator, it would be beneficial to our organization if this committee took the lead in establishing guidelines for recruiting new members, to reach our full membership of 125 active representatives. Having us reach our full allotment of members would help send a strong message to the State Legislature that Kansas Seniors are indeed serious about the issues they deem important. Members of this committee must be willing to seek out candidates, using acquaintances and connections in counties currently without an SHL representative to help find qualified individuals willing to work for the betterment of Seniors in their county. A stronger SHL organization will be the result. (The full duties of the Elections and Credentials Committee are found on pages 9 and 10 of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature.)

The Finance Committee is responsible for the fiscal burden of the Silver Haired Legislature, subject to review and comment of the Executive Board. The KEY element of this committee is that it is the driving force behind fundraising for the SHL. This is an area in which we are sorely lacking, and which MUST be improved if we are to move forward as an organization. This committee needs to be made up of people who share a vision for the SHL and a passion for working to benefit and improve the lives of the Senior Citizens of Kansas. Obviously, this work will struggle to be accomplished without sufficient funding. We need Finance Committee members who understand, and are good at, fundraising; who can help SHL delegates in each county “persuade” either their county commissioners or county council on aging (or both) on the importance of our organization and the need to help fund it; and who have sufficient communication skills to help “sell” this point. The success of this committee will ultimately determine the success of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature. (The full duties of the Finance Committee are found on page 10 of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature.)

The Public Relations Committee is responsible for the dissemination and dispersal of all information pertinent to the smooth and effective operation of KSHL. One of the often overlooked duties of this committee is to keep the general public, especially the Senior Citizens of Kansas, apprised of our activities, and to provide a “face” and contact information for our peers who wish to offer input or find out additional information. Again, good communication skills are a must for members of this committee, as well as a desire to keep our name and activities in the forefront of the public’s consciousness. Included in this area is maintaining accurate email addresses, home addresses, and phone numbers for our members. For us to move forward as a group that “gets things done, the public must know who we are, what we are trying to accomplish, and how to give input to us. This committee will be instrumental in getting this done. (The full duties of the Public Relations Committee are found on pages 10 and 11 of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature.)

The Legislative Committee is primarily responsible for the planning and implementation of our annual session of the KSHL in Topeka. This task has been primarily performed by the Speaker of the House, the Speaker Pro Tem, and other members of the KSHL executive team, as requested.The Legislative Committee keeps all members informed with sufficient lead time so that each delegate can ensure the Annual Session is on their calendar. The Annual Session serves many purposes, not the least of which is the “rejuvenation” of the membership to go about their duties in the coming year enthusiastically. The Legislative Committee can help make that a reality. (The full duties of the Legislative Committee are found on page 11 of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature.)

The Bylaws Committee is charged with the ongoing review and periodic revision of the Bylaws of the KSHL. This committee will also distribute to the membership any amendments under consideration, allowing for proper debate and comments within the body of the SHL. The last revision was in 2025, and revise them as necessary. That is the task of the Bylaws Committee. (The full duties of the Bylaws Committee are found on page 11 of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature.)