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AARP Delaware Announces 2026 Advocacy Agenda Focused on Elections, Housing, Energy Reform and Homelessness

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AARP Delaware today announced its 2026 advocacy agenda, outlining legislative priorities that support voting access, energy affordability, housing stability, preventing fraud and protections for people experiencing homelessness. These efforts reflect AARP’s mission to ensure Delawareans 50 and older can choose how they live as they age; and to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

As part of the state office’s advocacy agenda, the team of staff and volunteers will work to support passage of the following legislation:

HB65 - Election Date Consolidation and Voter Participation Reform

Consolidates state, county and municipal primary elections with the presidential primary in April.
Reduces administrative costs through unified scheduling and ballot preparation.
Improves voter participation by aligning elections with higher turnout presidential primaries.
Includes public education requirements and updated candidate filing timelines.

SB205 - Electric Utility Certification and Grid Reliability Oversight

Requires large electricity consumers and generators to obtain a Certificate to Operate.
Ensures grid reliability and protects residential ratepayers from bearing infrastructure costs.
Requires environmental and reliability assessments for high-load projects.
Enhances regulatory oversight to support long term energy planning.

HB233- Large Energy Use Facilities Rates and PSC Oversight

Creates a separate electricity rate class for high demand facilities using 20 megawatts or more.
Protects residential and small business customers from subsidizing major infrastructure upgrades.
Requires the Public Service Commission to evaluate reliability, economic impacts and alignment with state renewable energy goals.
Promotes fair cost allocation and predictable planning.

HB13 - Protections for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Defines adequate alternative indoor space and life sustaining activities.
Prohibits criminal penalties for essential survival activities when no indoor alternative exists.
Allows civil actions when rights are violated.
Supports coordinated local responses and expanded emergency and permanent housing.

SS 1 for SB116 Right of Redemption for Tenants

Allows tenants facing eviction for nonpayment to remain housed if they pay all amounts owed before eviction.
Clarifies timelines, payment rules and court procedures.
Limits repeated use of redemption for habitual nonpayment.
Reduces displacement and supports housing stability.

Potential Legislation for Protection from Crypto ATM-based scams

Require kiosks be registered with the state as virtual-currency transmitters.
Provide a receipt.
Offer full refunds for fraudulent transactions made in the first 72 hours of being a new customer if correctly reported to both the kiosk operator and a government or law enforcement agency within 14 days.
Have a maximum daily transaction limit of $2,000 for each new customer.
Require daily transaction limit for all customers, including existing customers.
A requirement to provide live customer service, including a dedicated line for law enforcement to contact.

“Older Delawareans and their families deserve stable housing, fair utility rates and a voting system that is accessible and efficient,” said Bonnie Wu, Advocacy Manager. “This agenda reflects the real concerns we hear from residents every day and our commitment to advancing policies that strengthen financial and community security.”