Senate Government Operations committee votes to forward optometry bill to Health and Welfare

The Senate Government Operations Committee voted to report an optometry bill to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, allowing additional time for a floor push before the legislative crossover deadline.

Committee leadership said the vote was to give Senator Lyons time to finish the process and avoid asking for an extension. A roll call recorded “yes” votes from Senator Clarkson, Senator Hart, Senator White and Senator Colomar. Committee staff indicated Melissa from the secretary of the senate’s office would process materials so the bill could be placed on the notice calendar tomorrow if appropriate.

Committee members did not debate the bill at length during the recorded exchange; the chair said the decision was intended to expedite movement of the measure to Health and Welfare and then to the floor. No amendments or further committee instructions were recorded in the transcript. The committee did not record a formal motion maker or seconder in the transcript excerpt provided.

If Health and Welfare and the full Senate take up the measure, the bill’s next steps will follow the normal committee referral and floor scheduling process.