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Explore AARP NH's 2026 Legislative Priorities
AARP New Hampshire
AARP New Hampshire is a strong advocate for Granite Staters age 50-plus and their families. We work with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to advance legislation that makes our state a great place to live for people of all ages.
For the 2026 legislative session, AARP New Hampshire is focused on strengthening consumer protections, supporting family caregivers, expanding access to affordable housing, and reducing the rising costs of prescription drugs. We will continue monitoring legislation that could reduce access to affordable health care or weaken the programs and services that allow older adults to remain independent in their homes and communities.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
AARP New Hampshire is committed to protecting residents from the increasing threats of fraud, scams, and deceptive business practices. Criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target older adults, jeopardizing financial security and personal well‑being. We are calling on lawmakers to continue strengthening oversight, improving enforcement tools, and closing loopholes that leave consumers vulnerable.
Support and Strengthen SB482 – What this bill does:
SB482 establishes consumer protections for cryptocurrency ATMs, including requirements transaction limits, refund mechanisms, transparent fee disclosures, and fraud warnings.
What this bill means for Granite Staters:
SB482 protects consumers—especially older adults—by requiring cryptocurrency ATMs to impose strict transaction limits and offer refund opportunities for users, helping prevent large, irreversible losses during scams. These safeguards make it much harder for scammers to coerce people into converting cash into digital assets and sending it away permanently.
SUPPORT FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS
New Hampshire’s 168,000 unpaid family caregivers provide millions of hours of support each year to aging parents, spouses, siblings, and loved ones. Their efforts allow older Granite Staters to remain in their homes—where they overwhelmingly want to be.
Priority Legislation
Support SB545 – SB545 eliminates the resource test for financial eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program and expands access to the Medicare Part D low‑income subsidy.
Support SB608 – SB608 directs the state to expand family caregiver support services under the Acquired Brain Disorder and Choices for Independence waiver programs and removes the child care scholarship cost‑share for children in kinship care.
What these bills mean for Granite Staters:
Together, SB545 and SB608 strengthen the financial and practical supports that help older adults remain in their homes and help caregivers sustain their vital role. By expanding eligibility for Medicare assistance, SB545 reduces out‑of‑pocket medical and prescription drug costs for low‑income older adults, easing financial pressure on families.
SB608 enhances the services available to caregivers—such as counseling, training, peer support, and respite—and reduces financial burdens on kinship caregivers by eliminating the childcare scholarship cost‑share. This ensures that caregivers have the tools, resources, and flexibility they need to continue providing safe, effective care in home‑ and community‑based settings.
RX DRUG AFFORDABILITY
The cost of prescription drugs continues to be a major concern for older adults, many of whom rely on multiple medications to manage chronic conditions. No one should have to choose between paying for prescriptions and paying for basic necessities such as food or housing.
AARP New Hampshire’s 2026 advocacy supports strengthening the tools the state needs to evaluate high‑cost prescription drugs, increase pricing transparency, and help lower costs for Granite Staters.
Priority Legislation
Support SB647 – SB647 lets New Hampshire join a multi‑state group to set up a prescription drug discount program, allowing the state to offer a prescription discount card that helps residents save money on their medications.
What this bill means for Granite Staters:
SB647 lays the foundation for New Hampshire to create a free, privacy‑protective prescription drug discount card that residents can use to reduce out‑of‑pocket prescription costs. In addition, SB647 enhances the state’s ability to access pricing data, evaluate high‑cost medications, and pursue strategies that reduce prescription drug expenses. Strengthening the state’s drug affordability efforts helps ensure that older adults can access the medications they need without financial hardship.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS
Housing affordability and accessibility remain among the top concerns for Granite Staters age 45+. Most older adults want to remain in their homes and communities as they age, but high housing costs and limited options often make that difficult.
AARP New Hampshire is advocating for housing strategies that help older adults age in place, expand flexibility for homeowners, and increase the availability of smaller and more affordable housing types—including accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Expanding housing choice supports multigenerational living, strengthens communities, and improves the ability of older adults to remain close to caregivers and family.
Priority Legislation
Support HB1357 – HB1357 permits newly constructed manufactured homes as of right in all residentially zoned areas statewide and prohibits municipalities from using discriminatory zoning restrictions to block them.
What this bill means for Granite Staters:
HB1357 expands affordable homeownership options by allowing modern, high‑quality manufactured homes on individual residential lots, helping first‑time buyers, working families, and older adults seeking to downsize access more attainable housing. By reducing zoning barriers, the bill offers more flexibility for residents to find suitable, affordable homes within their communities.
Oppose HB1012 – HB1012 would repeal the statewide right established in 2025 that allowed homeowners to create accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and detached ADUs on their property.
What this bill means for Granite Staters:
HB1012 would eliminate one of the most effective tools New Hampshire has for expanding affordable housing and supporting aging in place by removing the legal framework that allows ADUs statewide. This rollback would reduce housing flexibility, limit options for caregivers and multigenerational families, and make it harder for older adults to remain in their communities.
If you’d like more information about AARP NH’s advocacy efforts, or would like to get involved, please contact Michael Padmore at mpadmore@aarp.org.
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