HB334 Alabama 2014 Session

Under existing law, the Alabama Board of Optometry is responsible for licensing and regulating the practice of optometry in the state

This bill would delete language relating to a license to practice optometry across state lines and would authorize the board to regulate the practice of optometry through telemedicine

Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose

The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment. However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment

To amend Sections 34-22-80, 34-22-81, 34-22-82, 34-22-83, 34-22-84, 34-22-85, 34-22-86, and 34-22-87, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the practice of optometry; to authorize the board to regulate the practice of optometry through telemedicine; to repeal Section 34-22-88, Code of Alabama 1975, as duplicative; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended.