HB124 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Margie WilcoxRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

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

Summary

HB124 extends and changes the Alabama Board of Optometry through 2029, adding limited licenses, updated funding, higher board pay, and new record-keeping and communication rules.

What This Bill Does

The bill continues the Alabama Board of Optometry until October 1, 2029 with modifications. It creates limited teaching and limited resident licenses (including their supervision and fee requirements), increases board per diem for members, and allows multiple communication methods with licensees. It removes the secretary's registry as the official record book and establishes the Alabama Board of Optometry Fund in the State Treasury to support the board's operations. It also maintains and refines continuing education and renewal requirements (renewal fee of $160; $100 extra for those who use pharmaceutical agents; 20-25 hours of CE annually with at least half in eye disease topics) and sets automatic suspension and reinstatement rules for CE and renewal noncompliance.

Who It Affects

• Licensed optometrists in Alabama: face annual renewal and CE requirements, pay renewal and, if applicable, pharmaceutical agent fees, and may be subject to disciplinary actions; some may obtain limited licenses for teaching or student-resident roles.
• Faculty and student-residents at Alabama schools of optometry: eligible for limited licenses (teaching or resident roles) with dean-certified qualifications and supervision, affecting their licensure status and scope of practice while engaged in those roles.

Key Provisions

• Continues the Alabama Board of Optometry until October 1, 2029 with statutory changes.
• Authorizes the issuance of limited licenses: limited teaching licenses and limited resident licenses, with dean certification, supervision requirements, a $100 issuance fee, and limits tied to teaching or school residency.
• Increases board members' per diem: adds higher daily payments and travel allowances for board business (specific per diem amounts stated in the bill).
• Allows multiple communication methods with licensees (not limited to a single method).
• Removes the secretary's registry as the official book of records; the board will maintain official records.
• Creates the Alabama Board of Optometry Fund in the State Treasury to operate the board; outlines budgeting, accounting, and oversight for fund expenditures.
• Maintains and clarifies licensing renewal and continuing education requirements: $160 annual renewal fee; $100 additional fee for those authorized to use pharmaceutical agents; 20-25 hours of CE annually with at least half in eye disease topics; CE deadlines and suspension/reinstatement rules.
• Automatic suspension provisions for failure to certify CE or renewal; reinstatement requires proof of compliance and payment of fees.
• Effective date: June 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards