[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6605644,"mediaKeyId","2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613","parentId",2985283,"title","DCA reorganization briefed; budget office projects board fund balance with no immediate fee increase","audioSeconds",446,"startMs",482000,"endMs",928000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613&start=482&end=928","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613/thumbnail_482000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6605644/California/DCA-reorganization-briefed-budget-office-projects-board-fund-balance-with-no-immediate-fee-increase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605644-367149d036f63fbad54788d9a3639cbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147621&Signature=WGNgMLMvO~hqeP2z0r5QLGC10J5aaohrsdg3dyM32ytoiE2SxRXhxOQipS9MOlWEaM1VqCcgijT96oz4XEwGUBuImx1bklYoBI71zRpvxkFVb~d2Kv4TAkV95j-MQkUYS8AmKT5-XkYnBur3u0n1Ix~UPRhVIRlKCh7get6eYNGTRFJPHXBglm-rvSzi98zwnPCDa9PkKi1d4fTGX3ZsdNDj6xBUeLjlmqBEHIWa7xFXB3AbCmsnclc0FjFyc7f9NTpt5Hv6~Rl~Xy0d4Tx8MiBE9waicYZ~ifAb8fIu6GxmxsSRL9i2AO7ohUsFGQKiGUCs-INRMFUzvE2YcCRyNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Respiratory Care Board of California","date","2025-04-14T20:21:31.92Z","article","At its meeting the California State Board of Optometry received an update from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) on the governor's proposed reorganization and a presentation from the state budget office on the board's fund condition.

DCA reorganization: Leslie Barnby of the Department of Consumer Affairs briefed the board on the governor's reorganization plan to split the current Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two agencies: a California Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Business and Consumer Services Agency. If approved, the new Business and Consumer Services Agency would house the Department of Consumer Affairs and several boards, including the Board of Optometry. The reorganization plan was delivered to the Little Hoover Commission on April 4, 2025, which begins an approximately 90‑day review including public hearings and a report to the governor and Legislature. Barnby said the board will be kept apprised as the process proceeds.

State telework executive order: Barnby also reiterated that a March executive order from the governor requires state agencies to modify hybrid telework policies so employees work in office four days per week beginning July 1, 2025. DCA is working with programs to identify additional space and to implement CalHR guidance and will advise boards on any further direction.

Budget/fund condition: Julian Lux, budget analyst with the GCF Budget Office, presented the board's fund condition and projections. Using actual fiscal data through month 8, Lux said the board began the year with a budget of approximately $3.8 million and is projected to spend roughly $3.2 million in 2024–25, leaving an estimated fund balance of about $3.05 million (approximately 8.5 months in reserve). The projection includes conservative personal services increases and static revenue assumptions in out years. Lux noted the board projected a reversion of roughly $937,000 in the prior year and that any future legislation or unexpected events could affect the fund. The Budget Office recommended continued monitoring and monthly updates to the board.

Board response and context: Board members thanked the presenters and noted that while current projections did not justify immediate fee increases, the statutory fee ceilings are outdated. The board's subsequent actions on the sunset responses included asking the Legislature to raise fee ceilings to give the board flexibility in the future.

Next steps: DCA and board staff will continue updates on the reorganization process and on telework guidance; the Budget Office will monitor revenues and expenditures and report monthly.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","California State Board of Optometry- Board Meeting- April 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Department of Consumer Affairs briefed the California State Board of Optometry on the governor's proposed agency reorganization and a state executive order on telework; the state budget office presented a fund condition showing no immediate need for fee increases but recommended ongoing monitoring.","taxTitle","Respiratory Care Board of California, Boards and Commissions, Executive, California","taxId",76751,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605648,"Board takes positions on multiple bills: supports its own sunset bill, seeks inclusion in private‑equity bill, watches teleconferencing measure",1348,3625000,4973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613&start=3625&end=4973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613/thumbnail_3625000.jpg","/articles/6605648/California/Board-takes-positions-on-multiple-bills-supports-its-own-sunset-bill-seeks-inclusion-in-privateequity-bill-watches-teleconferencing-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605648-8d7185db31ecca8ad683278d79c224e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147621&Signature=br28tL8O8SB8Zw9h4IfRD2iGzD3j5MJ9ME~CkKrXBK9ptPtvEeCYGjG2PBCUtNMS7YcaPoWnBCHTKiXBLn71eLWOmjpmGZNVl7BZxItseJtVb9WS7PsAV0yroyCT-Issglz1QaTvylBgQ9LxRYxfIHPdPBZ3xZOB~idvyNMoxgE1cAP9ka-C3rREHmxx6lXM5dAHZWGwFV4eiY45M3gwwEXrRU3xro7EnntY4pGaVEhogS3J8i5vRr41ZWgVQJKrNUysnLMmjj0a1BJQ4c1WSjtYw58k6u28-ef2u6tEumLFc~zoDoJrXVIo89IQlKTKujEtzv7nkqbwxuJ1kDL7-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At its April meeting the California State Board of Optometry took public positions on several pieces of legislation from the 2025 session.

Support for the board's sunset bill: The board voted to support SB 776, the board's sunset bill introduced by Senator Ashby. The bill in its introduced form updates a referenced national examination name and allows inactive licensees to apply for a retired license status; board staff said the bill will likely be amended as the sunset review process proceeds.

Neutral unless amended on private equity/corporate practice bill: The board adopted a position of \"neutral unless amended\" on SB 351, a bill aimed at limiting private‑equity/hedge‑fund interference in physician and dentist practices; the board would like optometry added so the same protections would apply to optometric practices if the bill proceeds. The California Optometric Association told the board it supports amending the bill to cover optometry.

Teleconferencing/Bagle‑Keene: The board discussed SB 470, a Bill extending Bagley‑Keene teleconferencing provisions and delaying the current sunset for those emergency teleconferencing flexibilities. Some board members asked staff to return with additional analysis before taking a support or oppose position; no formal position was recorded at this meeting.

Emergency waivers and email authority (SB 641): The board is monitoring SB 641, which would (1) give DCA boards statutory authority to require applicants and licensees to provide an email address and (2) grant waiver authority to boards to temporarily suspend or modify regulatory requirements during declared emergencies. The board supports the email‑address authority and is evaluating the emergency‑waiver provisions further.

Votes and process: The board recorded roll‑call votes in favor of supporting SB 776 and adopting a neutral‑unless‑amended posture on SB 351. For SB 470 the board deferred action to allow further review of stakeholder concerns (including press organizations). For SB 641 staff will continue to monitor and consult with the author's office and other boards on implementation details.

Staff will continue to track all bills identified by the board and return with recommended positions or proposed amendments as bills evolve.","The board voted to support its sunset bill (SB 776), take a neutral‑unless‑amended position on a private‑equity/apparent corporate practice bill to seek optometry inclusion (SB 351), and to monitor bills on teleconferencing (SB 470) and emergency waivers (SB 641).",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605653,"Board adopts modified radio-frequency rule language to permit nonsurgical dry-eye devices, clears 15-day notice",532,5534000,6066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613&start=5534&end=6066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613/thumbnail_5534000.jpg","/articles/6605653/California/Board-adopts-modified-radio-frequency-rule-language-to-permit-nonsurgical-dry-eye-devices-clears-15-day-notice","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605653-90a6201a38d48acc615657681032e482/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147621&Signature=oPQNHeZ~L4Yy8FQUvMknMybKidQHUkJxoTlQEOfXseWduf2uh4yFr2Kstx-OKyg8Hzu5R9TCKwKD8iCnqbzxTz1lzXTFAMjEPfOGwD6y9LFa-nT9ouZbX3pYAN7EuFqPqBlnE7jHjQaUnBG7dz8xFedyQ1Vvj7L8VCdmBr3Xm91Pug6J1P6OwHTxfmUo79xPoJm7b8jzuc1yTdeNEnybgDYyqodAxgHNmi9QpKvJJDdAkt6Tv5a5Mr3vu8TUjzHGIIe19w~yIPEMymOYCtHgAHQ9NhzRIx8pxlGUi4QseV10npwc9ppukNl~fdN8WVTkxl8wuEAl5aFUpMLZNIoraA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California State Board of Optometry voted to approve modified regulatory text intended to allow the use of specified radio‑frequency (RF) devices for the treatment of dry‑eye disease or syndrome and to send that revised language out for a 15‑day public‑comment period.

The modified proposal narrows the allowed technology to devices used specifically to treat dry‑eye disease or syndrome, sets a frequency range, and requires temperature monitoring or predefined temperature presets to prevent tissue ablation. Board staff said the change was designed to distinguish nondestructive RF devices used in ocular surface care from RF or electrosurgical units that ablate tissue and are considered surgical.

Why it matters: Several companies and clinics have sought clarity about whether RF-based devices can be lawfully used by optometrists in California. The board's action aims to permit access to RF-based dry‑eye therapies while spelling out technical controls (frequency band and temperature safeguards) that, according to staff, keep the devices in the realm of nonsurgical, office‑based treatment.

Public comment and discussion: The board heard both support and opposition during a public‑comment period and at the meeting. The California Optometric Association told the board it had no objection to the revised language. Physician groups, including the California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the California Medical Association, urged the board to withdraw the proposal, arguing RF-induced collagen formation (neocollagenesis) alters tissue and therefore constitutes \"surgery\" under the optometry practice act. Board counsel advised that, on review of case law and statutory definitions, the proposed RF applications do not meet the legal definition of surgery.

The board approved a motion directing staff to publish the modified regulatory text for 15 days of public comment. If no adverse comments are received during that period, the executive officer is authorized to complete the rulemaking steps and adopt section 1572 with the modified text. The board's motion included authorization for the executive officer to make technical, non‑substantive edits before filing.

Next steps: The modified rule will be published for a 15‑day comment period. If adverse comments are submitted, the board must consider them at a future meeting. If no adverse comments are received, staff will complete the remaining steps in the formal rulemaking process and file the regulation.","The board voted to send modified regulatory text on radio‑frequency devices for dry‑eye treatment out for a 15‑day public comment period after adding frequency and temperature‑monitoring limits and clarifying the nonsurgical purpose.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6605659,"California Board of Optometry approves responses to legislative sunset review, requests higher fee ceiling and further review of UC allocation",5282,1454000,6736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613&start=1454&end=6736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2985283-c8f8fa6f75e78f0ade28b502df5b6613/thumbnail_1454000.jpg","/articles/6605659/California/California-Board-of-Optometry-approves-responses-to-legislative-sunset-review-requests-higher-fee-ceiling-and-further-review-of-UC-allocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6605659-8000c3bfd1aa6fd239130f2afaf715f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147621&Signature=jowWXy~76~pzX~HV3hQtxjBHqJV7k~RWuffsEYpUbFTnDwxekmp0sjnbfCYktykCFpSoEjENN6sUi59lf1m2w~SngsAoSvJEQc8TNui620xEZENfAEf6-mGwB3HGxAkKPnFiLUz6BOxL6ZuQJfKnGw8RCwujwfXFqZPgVTGM-RxxkfLrT95QuheooKFWav2jko~270G45waULBYD-XOtPOvkIdfuXojz1Qcebal8IQzAzPWb8YMAR0tcpo6WXjsdPeXvMPxvI5CXprF~jo3H8-SZaFJDwVLH2XVyFU1YySLwUL4TEGWKoc452aXfyBlNxpkcmx-bHrR25DsAA2XQZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The California State Board of Optometry on April 11 approved a package of responses to a legislative sunset-review background paper and voted on several related requests to the Legislature, including asking lawmakers to increase statutory fee ceilings and to review the board's recurring $16-per-renewal remittance to the University of California.

The board voted to approve the draft responses prepared by staff and to send them to the Assembly Business and Professions Committee and the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee. As part of its action, the board agreed to ask the Legislature to raise the statutory ceiling on fees so the board could implement future regulatory fee increases if needed; to request legislative review of the UC remittance with the possibility of reducing the outflow; and to ask the Legislature for additional enforcement tools and resources to address unlicensed activity and online optical entities.

Why it matters: The sunset review is a formal legislative check on the board's structure and practices. The board's decision to seek a higher fee ceiling is intended as a precautionary measure that would allow the board to raise fees later by regulation if the fund condition requires it. The board also flagged the $16 UC remittance as a multi-year outflow totaling nearly $300,000 over recent fiscal years and requested clearer reporting so the Legislature can determine whether the allocation should continue.

During discussion, staff presented the board's fund condition and a \"mock\" fund statement showing scenarios that underlie the board's conclusion that an immediate fee increase is not required, but that raising the statutory ceiling would provide flexibility in the future. Board members debated whether the request should be framed more strongly; the board approved language asking the Legislature to \"enact a higher fee ceiling such that a future fee increase, if needed, would be available to the board.\" The board also voted to ask legislative committees to examine whether the UC remittance should be reduced or otherwise adjusted after further conversations with UC leadership.

The board separately approved a motion directing staff to amend its response to the legislature to request \"additional enforcement tools and resources,\" and to reference other resource requests the board has made. Members cited concerns about unregistered optical retail entities and online businesses that may circumvent state registration and licensure rules. To address citation-level enforcement limits, members also voted to ask the Legislature to consider increasing statutory caps on citation fines, which have not been updated in decades.

Votes and formal actions recorded at the meeting include: approval of the draft sunset responses (roll call recorded as unanimous), a motion to request the fee-ceiling change (motion passed), a motion to request legislative review of the UC remittance (motion passed), a motion to request additional enforcement tools (motion passed), and a motion asking the Legislature to consider increasing citation caps (motion passed). The board instructed staff to finalize language and submit the documents to legislative staff on the standard timeline for sunset responses.

Context and next steps: Staff will incorporate the board's amendments and submit the final responses to the committees. The board also asked staff to continue stakeholder outreach, including additional conversations with UC representatives, and to work with legislative staff if the committees are interested in drafting statutory changes. The board's sunset bill (SB 776) is also moving through the Legislature and may be amended based on these exchanges.

The board will revisit any legislative language and the final rulemaking packages at future public meetings as bills and committee work progress.","The California State Board of Optometry voted to approve its responses to the Legislature’s sunset review background paper, including asking lawmakers to raise statutory fee ceilings, seek review of a recurring $16 remittance to the University of California, and request additional enforcement tools and pro rata transparency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DCA reorganization briefed; budget office projects board fund balance with no immediate fee increase

Board takes positions on multiple bills: supports its own sunset bill, seeks inclusion in private‑equity bill, watches teleconferencing measure

Board adopts modified radio-frequency rule language to permit nonsurgical dry-eye devices, clears 15-day notice

California Board of Optometry approves responses to legislative sunset review, requests higher fee ceiling and further review of UC allocation