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Bill

HB 4301

Relating to authorizing the Board of Optometry to promulgate a legislative rule relating to schedule of fees.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Smith

Bill authorizes West Virginia Board of Optometry to independently set its own licensing and service fees through regulatory rules without requiring legislative approval each time.

To House Judiciary
#legislature--rulemaking
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Bill Summary · HB 4301

Legislative bill overview

HB 4301 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Optometry to establish and adjust its own fee schedule through regulatory rule-making rather than requiring legislative action for each fee change. This streamlines the administrative process for managing optometry licensing and service fees.

Why is this important

Professional licensing boards typically need legislative approval to modify fees, which creates administrative delays and reduces the board's ability to respond to operational cost increases. Enabling the Board of Optometry to set its own fees allows for more efficient cost management while potentially reducing legislative burden, though it also shifts fee-setting authority from elected representatives to an appointed board.

Potential points of contention

  • Accountability concerns: Critics may argue that allowing an unelected board to set fees removes direct democratic oversight of how much consumers and practitioners are charged for licensing services
  • Fee escalation risks: Without legislative approval requirements, opponents might worry fees could increase without public debate or legislative restraint
  • Scope and limits: The bill's language regarding what fees the board can set and whether there are caps or approval thresholds may need clarification to prevent uncontrolled increases

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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