AlabamaHB1242025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Sunset Law; Alabama Board of Optometry continued with modification until October 1, 2029

Sponsored By: Margie Wilcox (Republican)

Enacted

Occupational Licensing Boards

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Optometrists gain electronic notices and renewals

Optometrists can check registration details and submit renewal forms electronically. The board can send specified notices by approved carrier or email, including education and annual-registration notices. Email disciplinary-hearing notices under this rule apply to accused Alabama residents. These emails must use the address on record and include an electronic delivery receipt. The board can also email meeting notices, and its secretary can transmit registry copies instead of mailing them.

Optometry board members get higher pay

Alabama optometry board members receive $400 for each day actually spent on board business, up from $250. That adds $150 per qualifying day. This pay is in addition to applicable state-employee daily and travel allowances.

Optometry residents gain supervised practice licenses

The board can issue limited resident licenses to student residents at board-approved Alabama optometry schools. Practice must be part of the school's program and support its required learning activities. Faculty must supervise the work; the license does not allow unrestricted practice.

Some limited-license optometrists avoid renewal fees

Limited optometry license holders outside residency programs no longer face regular annual license renewal fees or regular renewal requirements. The $100 nonrefundable fee to receive a limited license remains.

Alabama keeps optometry oversight and funding

The law's changes take effect June 1, 2025, and keep Alabama's optometry board operating through October 1, 2029. All board receipts go into a dedicated State Treasury fund. Unused, uncommitted money carries forward instead of returning to the State General Fund. Spending requires Comptroller warrants and itemized vouchers, within budget, allotment, and appropriation limits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Margie Wilcox
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 268 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 470

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Third Reading in Second House

Yes: 32 • No: 0

House vote • 2/6/2025

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass - Adopted Roll Call 42

Yes: 102 • No: 0