SB 55-OPTOMETRY & OPTOMETRISTS  3:07:13 PM CHAIR COSTELLO reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of SB 55. She relayed the intent to adopt a committee substitute (CS), take member's questions, and look to the will of the committee. 3:07:28 PM SENATOR GIESSEL moved to adopt the CS for SB 55, labeled 29- LS0524\I, as the working document. CHAIR COSTELLO objected for an explanation of the changes. 3:07:43 PM WESTON EILER, Staff, Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee and Senator Mia Costello, explained the changes in the CS for SB 55, version I. Section 1 - page 1, lines 8-249, adds text under paragraph (4) relating to regulations for the treatment of eye disease. Page 1, lines 12-14, adds a new paragraph (6) relating to regulations that the State Medical Board agrees to regarding the scope of practice to perform ophthalmic surgery and noninvasive procedures. Section 4 - page 2, lines 18-24 adds new subsections to AS 08.72.272. Subsection (e) prohibits a licensee from injecting a derivative of clostridium botulinum in the ocular globe of the eye. Subsection (f) provisionally prohibits a licensee from prescribing more than a 7-day supply of a controlled substance. Patients needing a refill shall be referred to a licensed physician or ophthalmologist. Section 5 - page 2, lines 25-31 through page 3, line 1, adds a new Sec. 08.72.278. Subsection (a) states that a licensee may perform services of optometry only if they are within the scope of the licensee's education, training, and experience as established by regulations adopted by the board. Subsection (b) prohibits a licensee from performing ophthalmic surgery described in regulation if it is beyond the scope of the licensee's education, training, and experience. Mr. Eiler advised that Section 7 of the original bill that defined "invasive surgery" is deleted. It is addressed in the new paragraph (6) in Section 1 relating to regulations that the State Medical Board agrees to regarding the scope of practice to perform ophthalmic surgery and noninvasive procedures. 3:11:08 PM CHAIR COSTELLO removed her objection and the CS was adopted. SENATOR STEVENS asked if paragraph (6) in Section 1 addresses the objections that ophthalmologists have with the bill. MR. EILER said that's the intent; the CS is a compromise that seeks to get the State Medical Board, licensed physicians, and the Board of Optometry to agree on the terms that will form the regulation in statute. SENATOR STEVENS offered his understanding that optometrists are governed by the Board of Optometry and ophthalmologists are governed by the State Medical Board. MR. EILER agreed adding that ophthalmologists are licensed medical doctors. 3:12:50 PM SENATOR GIESSEL moved to report the CS for SB 55, labeled 29- LS0524\I, from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). CHAIR COSTELLO announced that without objection CSSB 55(L&C) is reported from the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.