BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    Ó



                                                                  SB 1215
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 8, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                  SB 1215 (Emmerson) - As Amended:  April 12, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                             Business and 
          Professions  Vote:                            9-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill establishes a "retired" and "retired volunteer 
          service" licensure option for optometrists licensed by the 
          California Board of Optometry (Board), and sets fees of $25 
          one-time and $50 biennially, respectively, for the two options. 

          This bill also deletes language authorizing the Board to define 
          "temporary practice," and instead defines "temporary practice."

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Possible minor reductions in fee revenue to the State Optometry 
          Fund. Individuals who pursue the licensure options created by 
          this bill and pay fees of $25 one-time or $50 biennially may 
          otherwise pay a biennial renewal fee of $425 for inactive 
          licensure status.  On the other hand, if this bill were enacted, 
          some individuals who otherwise pay nothing, and allow their 
          license to enter delinquent status, may instead pursue a retired 
          license status and pay $25-$50 in licensure fees.  The net 
          impact on licensure fee revenue is unknown.

          Under current law, the board is authorized to increase a variety 
          of fees related to their licensees, subject to statutory maximum 
          levels.  If there are minor revenue reductions to the State 
          Optometry Fund, fee increases in other areas may be necessary in 
          order to replace lost revenue.   

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  .  The author indicates establishing retiree 
            licensure status options provides a more appropriate option to 








                                                                  SB 1215
                                                                  Page  2

            reflect a retired optometrist's status.  Currently, the only 
            options available to a retired optometrist who no longer 
            wishes to practice are to either apply for inactive status and 
            pay a $425 biennial fee, or to let her license become 
            delinquent and eventually expire.  In addition, the Board, 
            which is sponsoring and supporting this bill, states 
            simplifying the process of obtaining a retired license with 
            volunteer designation will encourage retired optometrists to 
            volunteer, increasing access to care for many underserved 
            communities.

           2)Previous Legislation  .  AB 431 (Ma) Chapter 395, Statutes of 
            2011 and AB 2191 (Emmerson), Chapter 548, Statutes of 2010 
            addressed retired status for licensees of the California Board 
            of Accountancy and the Board of Behavioral Sciences, 
            respectively.

            AB 2848 (Hernandez) of 2008 allowed optometrists to apply for 
            a retired license.  AB 2848 died on the Inactive File of the 
            Senate Floor.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081