Committee moves two bills: ban on cash/check surcharge for tenants; optometry telemedicine amendment clears committee

The House Industry, Business and Labor Committee took recorded committee action on two bills and advanced them with due‑pass recommendations.

House Bill 1610 (tenant payment surcharge ban): The committee adopted an amendment that removed the phrasing “or similar instrument” from the bill and then carried the amendment. Representative Shower moved a due‑pass recommendation for HB 1610 as amended; Representative Greenberg seconded. On the roll call, members voting “yes” recorded their support and the amendment and the due‑pass motion carried. Committee discussion clarified that the bill would not prevent landlords from pursuing NSF or bounced‑check charges where permitted by law, and that the bill prohibits charging an additional fee solely because a tenant pays with cash, check or money order.

House Bill 1267 (optometry; telemedicine/location requirement): Committee members adopted a compromise amendment worked out between optometrists and ophthalmologists that retains the existing statutory definition of the practice of optometry while clarifying references (for example, changing “secretary” to “executive director”) and keeping the requirement that a provider offering telemedicine maintain a physical location in the state. Representative Ruby moved a due‑pass recommendation for the bill as amended; Representative Veil seconded. The motion carried on a roll call vote.

Both measures were advanced from committee with recorded votes and will move to the next committee or floor scheduling steps according to the House calendar.