SB 55-OPTOMETRY & OPTOMETRISTS                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:44:43 PM                                                                                                                    
CHAIR STEDMAN  announced the consideration  of SB 55. He  said the                                                              
bill was previously heard on March 18, 2015.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:44:53 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  GIESSEL, sponsor,  explained  that SB  55 modernizes  and                                                              
updates  the Alaska  optometry  statutes,  which  are about  forty                                                              
years old.  The bill moves  the continuing education  requirements                                                              
back  into  regulations,  but  the  hours  and  subjects  will  be                                                              
determined  by  the  Board  of Optometry,  as  is  done  by  other                                                              
professions. It  also allows the  Board to determine  prescription                                                              
drug  schedules,  anticipating   federal  regulation  changes  and                                                              
continues to prohibit invasive surgery.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:46:16 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  STOLTZE noted  the  bill  is a  policy  issue. He  voiced                                                              
concern about  the labels associated  with the bill.  He concluded                                                              
that it is an access bill for quality health care.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:48:10 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR  STOLTZE  moved  to  report  SB  55  from  committee  with                                                              
individual recommendations  and attached  zero fiscal  note. There                                                              
being no objection, the motion carried.