S.64 (Act 171)

An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Sponsors: Sen. Rebecca White, , Sen. Philip Baruth, Sen. Scott Beck, Sen. Patrick Brennan, Sen. Randolph Brock, Sen. Thomas Chittenden, Sen. Alison Clarkson, Sen. Brian Collamore, Sen. Samuel Douglass, Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sen. Wendy Harrison, Sen. Larry Hart, Sen. Joseph Major, Sen. Christopher Mattos, Sen. Robert Norris, Sen. Robert Plunkett, Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky, Sen. David Weeks, Sen. Terry Williams,

Last Recorded Action: 5/29/2026 - Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 18, 2026

Committee Activity - Meeting Full List

Regular Session 2025-2026

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations,

3:00 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Sen. Rebecca "Becca" White, Sponsor
Dean Barcelow, President, Vermont Optometric Association
Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations,

1:30 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Tim Petito, Doctor of Optometry, Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
Nate Lighthizer, Doctor of Optometry, Oklahoma College of Optometry at Northeastern State University
Emma Shouldice, Lobbyist, Vermont Optometric Association

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Government Operations,

1:30 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rick Hildebrant, Chair, Board of Medical Practice
Charlie Sheffield, American Board of Medical Specialties
Melissa Davidson, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont
Daniel Phillips, Doctor of Optometry
Dorothy Hitchmoth, Doctor of Optometry

3:00 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Vote

Friday, March 14, 2025

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare,

10:55 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Introduction and walk-through

Sen. Brian Collamore, Reporter
Sen. Rebecca "Becca" White, Sponsor

11:15 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rick Hildebrant, Chair, Board of Medical Practice
Jen Colin, General Counsel, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office

Friday, January 30, 2026

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare,

9:00 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Walkthrough

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Jen Colin, Director, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office
Emily Carr, General Counsel, Office of Professional Regulation
Dean Barcelow, President, Vermont Optometric Association
Nate Lighthizer, Doctor of Optometry, Oklahoma College of Optometry at Northeastern State University

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare,

9:45 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Jessica McNally, President, Vermont Opthalmological Society
Matthew Greenberg, Chair, Vermont Board of Medical Practice
Jeff Young, Comprehensive Opthalmologist
Divy Mehra, Opthalmology Resident, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare,

9:00 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Christopher Brady, Ophthalmologist, University of Vermont Medical Center
Libby Houle, Ophthalmologist, University of Vermont Health Network
Alicia Feis, Fellow, American Academy of Optometry
Amy Puerto, Fellow, American Academy of Optometry
Daniel Phillips, Vice President, Vermont Optometric Association
Tina Keshava, President, Vermont Optometric Association

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare,

10:50 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Mark-Up

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Heather Shouldice, President, Capital Complex Committee
Dean Barcelow, President, Vermont Optometric Association

Friday, March 13, 2026

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Health and Welfare,

8:30 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Vote

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Finance,

-

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Vote

Jen Colin, Director, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office
Ted Barnett, Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office

Friday, March 20, 2026

Committee(s):

Senate Committee on Appropriations,

1:05 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Vote

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Ted Barnett, Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Health Care,

10:00 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Introduction and walk-through

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Sen. Rebecca "Becca" White, Sponsor

10:30 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
Jen Colin, Director, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office

11:00 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Brittany Rhoads, Patient

2:15 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Matthew Greenberg, Chair, Vermont Board of Medical Practice
Tina Keshava, President, Vermont Optometric Association
Jessica McNally, President, Vermont Opthalmological Society

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Health Care,

1:00 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Libby Houle, Ophthalmologist
Nate Lighthizer, Doctor of Optometry, Oklahoma College of Optometry at Northeastern State University
Ashley Berliner, Director of Medicaid Policy, Agency of Human Services

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Health Care,

4:15 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Committee discussion and mark-up

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Health Care,

9:00 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Vote

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,

9:30 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Introduction, walk-through, and testimony

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Sen. John Morley, Reporter, Senate Committee on Health and Welfare
Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office
Emily Carr, General Counsel, Office of Professional Regulation
Nate Lighthizer, Doctor of Optometry, Oklahoma College of Optometry at Northeastern State University
Delany Curran, Opthalmology Resident and Future Vermont Opthalmologist
Alicia Feis, Fellow, American Academy of Optometry
Amy Puerto, Fellow, American Academy of Optometry
Jeff Young, Comprehensive Opthalmologist
Jessica McNally, President, Vermont Opthalmological Society

Thursday, May 7, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,

10:15 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Witness testimony

Kelsie George, Senior Policy Specialist, Health Program, National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
Tina Keshava, President, Vermont Optometric Association
Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,

9:35 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Witness testimony

Rich Castillo, Founding President, American Society of Optometric Surgeons
David Hall, Associate Professor, Southern College of Optometry
Rep. David Yacovone, Resident, Morrisville

10:50 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Witness testimony

David Hall, Associate Professor, Southern College of Optometry
Matthew Greenberg, Chair, Vermont Board of Medical Practice
Jennifer Lindsey, Associate Chief for Education, Massachusetts Eye and Ear; Director of Residency Training Program, Harvard Opthalmology
Dean Barcelow, Past President, Vermont Optometric Association
Daniel Phillips, Vice President, Vermont Optometric Association

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,

1:15 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rep. Stone amendment walk-through and testimony

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone, Sponsor

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,

10:50 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rep. Stone amendment testimony

Tina Keshava, President, Vermont Optometric Association
Jessica McNally, President, Vermont Opthalmological Society
David Herlihy, Executive Director, Vermont Board of Medical Practice
Jen Colin, Director, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office
Lauren Hibbert, Deputy Secretary of State, Secretary of State's Office

1:05 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rep. Stone amendment committee discussion and possible straw poll

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office

1:50 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rep. Stone Medicaid amendment walk-through

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

1:55 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rep. Stone Board of Medical of Practice walk-through

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

2:50 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rep. Stone Medicaid amendment committee discussion and straw poll

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

2:55 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rep. Stone Board of Medical Practice amendment committee discussion and straw poll

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

3:00 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Committee discussion and vote

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Friday, May 22, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Ways and Means,

2:40 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Ted Barnett, Senior Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office

4:45 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Vote

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs,

11:30 AM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Rep. Nugent amendment walk-through and straw poll

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Jen Colin, Director, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

Committee(s):

House Committee on Appropriations,

2:30 PM

S.64 - An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Walk through and vote

Jennifer Carbee, Deputy Chief Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel
Nolan Langweil, Principal Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Ted Barnett, Senior Fiscal Analyst, Joint Fiscal Office
Jen Colin, Director, Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State's Office