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