Representatives from Texas Silver‑Haired Legislature brief council on advocacy for older Texans

A representative of the Texas Silver‑Haired Legislature (TSHL) presented to the Copperas Cove City Council on July 1 about the group’s advocacy for older Texans and recent outcomes from the 2025 legislative session.

The presenter (identified on the agenda as Alan Mathis, representative of the Central Texas Area Agency on Aging) described TSHL as a volunteer, nonpartisan organization that drafts resolutions and meets with state lawmakers to advocate on behalf of Texans age 60 and older. He said the organization researches issues, writes resolution language modeled after legislative format and delivers those resolutions to state lawmakers for consideration.

The presenter said in the most recent cycle the organization brought 83 resolutions out of committee and 66 of those ultimately passed through their processes; he added that 17 of their measures were sent to the governor for signature. He also highlighted passed items focused on caregiving support, rural health care incentives and policies intended to help older kinship caregivers obtain parity with foster care funding.

TSHL representatives encouraged local officials and residents to engage with their state legislators, to use online bill‑tracking services such as myTLO to follow bills, and to consider joining or supporting the organization. The presenter said the group’s work includes outreach, testimony to committees and ongoing advocacy beyond the legislative session.

Council thanked the presenters for the overview; there was no action associated with the briefing.