The GAC was established in 1973 in compliance with the rules and regulations governing the federal Older Americans Act of 1965 and specific provisions of the Act as amended in 1973. The Council meets quarterly with three standing committees in FY'98 as part of the structure. The committees are Information Access, Assisted Living, and Pharmaceutical Needs. Final reports and recommendations are submitted annually to the Governor. The Silver Haired Legislature, or SHL as it is often called, is a formally elected body of citizens 60 years of age and older that promote conscientious legislative advocacy for Missouri's older adults.
All members are volunteers who serve without pay.
Elections are held annually during the month of May at the local AAAs nutrition or senior centers. Senior citizens elect three senators and twelve representatives from each of the ten AAAs for a total of 30 senators and 120 representatives. Following elections, the legislators meet to elect officers and begin to ascertain the needs of seniors in their districts. Bills and resolutions are then drawn up and prepared for presentation at the statewide conference in the fall. The SHL meets for three days in the fall to conduct a model legislative session.