West Virginia Senate Bill SB 352

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/15/26
• Refer: 1/15/26

Caption

Board of Optometry rule relating to schedule of fees

Summary

SB 352 concerns a rule of the West Virginia Board of Optometry relating to its schedule of fees. Based on the bill caption and available legislative context, the measure appears to address the board’s authority to set, update, or administer fees associated with optometry regulation, licensing, or related professional services. The bill text itself was not available in the provided materials, so the specific fee changes or procedural details cannot be confirmed from the record supplied. In practical terms, the bill would affect the regulatory framework governing optometrists in West Virginia by potentially modifying how the Board of Optometry collects or structures fees for licenses, renewals, permits, or other board services. Any changes would primarily impact licensed optometrists, applicants, and the board’s administrative operations, and could also influence the cost of compliance for the profession.

Impact

SB 352 would amend or approve a Board of Optometry rule tied to the schedule of fees, which could alter the board’s fee-setting authority or the amounts charged for licensure and related regulatory activities. The bill’s effect would be limited to the state’s optometry regulatory scheme and the statutes or rules governing professional licensure administration, rather than broader health care policy. Because the underlying text was not provided, the exact statutory sections affected and the precise fee changes are not identifiable from the available record.

Sentiment

The available legislative record does not include committee debate or recorded votes, so there is no direct evidence of support, opposition, or negotiated compromise. The bill’s referral to Judiciary suggests it was moving through the normal review process, but the absence of transcripts or vote history prevents a more specific assessment of sentiment. Overall, the measure appears procedural and administrative rather than controversial based on the limited context provided.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the materials provided. If any concerns arise, they would likely involve the size or fairness of the fee schedule, the Board of Optometry’s authority to impose fees, or the impact on licensees and applicants. However, without committee discussion or vote data, it is not possible to attribute any objections or support to particular legislators, stakeholders, or professional groups.