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HB 349 · 2026 · House · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Optometrists performing laser eye procedures

AI-generated

relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.

Authorizes optometrists who meet criteria established by the board of registration in optometry to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.AI-generated

Status

Vetoed; the override vote failed, so the veto stands · April 9, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✓Senate
  4. ✕Governor
  5. Law

Governor's veto message

“Access to quality and affordable healthcare is necessary and essential to our quality of life here in New Hampshire.”
— Gov. Kelly Ayotte · Mar 27, 2026 · excerpt
Governor's press releaseHouse Journal 10, p. 2

The House voted 145–206 on the override (Apr 9, 2026) — short of the two-thirds required, so the veto was sustained. See the roll call.

Analysis

This bill authorizes optometrists who meet criteria established by the board of registration in optometry to perform certain ophthalmic laser procedures.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as passed by both chambers. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an optometrist licensed under this chapter shall be authorized to perform the following ophthalmic laser procedures upon certification by the board:”
RSA 327:6-d
“The board shall adopt rules under RSA 541-A establishing the criteria for certification of an optometrist to perform ophthalmic laser procedures with proficiency, including: ?(a) Establishment of minimum education, training, and live experience requirements for a licensee to perform such procedures with proficiency;”
RSA 327:6-d
“Outcome reporting requirements for such procedures performed by certificate holders; and (d) A means of identification and verification of optometrists certified to perform advanced procedures.”
RSA 327:6-d
“No optometrist shall perform ophthalmic? laser procedures under this section unless the optometrist has submitted evidence of satisfactory completion of all requirements for specific procedures and the board has certified the optometrist as qualified.”
RSA 327:6-d

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Jim KofaltRPrime
  • Rep. Katy PeternelRVice Chair· Education Policy and Administration
  • Sen. David RochefortRChair· Health and Human Services
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Ruth WardRDeputy Majority Leader
  • Sen. Suzanne PrentissDAssistant Democratic Leader

Also: Rep. Alicia GreggD, Rep. Sheila SeidelR, Sen. Debra AltschillerD

Public testimony

No one submitted online testimony on this bill. See the record

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Oct 1, 2025HouseCommittee report· regular calendarCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2969h12–3
    Overall
    80% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteAmendment 2025-2969hadopted
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseVoice voteFloor amendment 2026-0032h (Rep. Layon)adopted
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseRoll callIndefinitely Postpone (Rep. M. Pearson)Failed133–205How they voted
    Overall
    39% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    55–12930% yea
    Democrats
    78–7651% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseRoll callLay HB349 on Table (Rep. Schmidt)Failed94–242How they voted
    Overall
    28% yea
    Republicans
    42–14123% yea
    Democrats
    52–10134% yea
  • Jan 7, 2026HouseRoll callOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2969h and 2026-0032hAdopted193–143How they voted
    Overall
    57% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    132–5172% yea
    Democrats
    61–9240% yea
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the House
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass5–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 19, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • Mar 12, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseRoll callOverride the veto — shall the bill become law notwithstanding the objectionsFailed145–206How they voted
    Overall
    41% yea
    Party-line vote
    Republicans
    114–8458% yea
    Democrats
    31–12220% yea

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 23, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration4:56:06–5:06:1910m 13slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
  • Oct 1, 2025Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration1:26:45–1:36:089m 23slocated in the stream transcriptMajority Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2969h — roll call; Full Committee Work Session; Executive Session
  • Jan 7, 2026Floor debateHouse floor8:07:03–8:19:1812m 15slocated in the stream transcriptIndefinitely Postpone (Rep. M. Pearson) — failed, roll call 133-205; Ought to Pass with Amendment 2025-2969h and 2026-0032h — adopted, roll call 193-143; Amendment # 2025-2969h — adopted, voice vote
  • Feb 4, 2026Public hearingSenate Health and Human Services3:09:43–3:38:4028m 57slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 19, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Ought to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 12, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floor27:32–28:0230slocated in the stream transcriptVeto Sustained — roll call 145-206

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 2 P. 16
  2. Jan 23, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/23/2025 02:00 pm LOB 306-308
  3. Feb 11, 2025HouseRetained in Committee
  4. Oct 1, 2025HouseFull Committee Work Session: 10/01/2025 10:00 am GP 231
  5. Oct 1, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 10/01/2025 10:00 am GP 231
  6. Oct 1, 2025HouseMajority : Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-2969h 10/01/2025 (Vote 12-3; RC) HC 51 P. 33
  7. Nov 5, 2025HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  8. Jan 7, 2026HouseAmendment # 2025-2969h: AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 169
  9. Jan 7, 2026HouseFLAM # 2026-0032h (Rep. Layon): AA VV 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 169
  10. Jan 7, 2026HouseIndefinitely Postpone (Rep. M. Pearson): MF RC 133-205 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 170
  11. Jan 7, 2026HouseLay HB349 on Table (Rep. Schmidt): MF RC 94-242 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 172
  12. Jan 7, 2026HouseOught to Pass with Amendment 2025-2969h and 2026-0032h: MA RC 193-143 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 174
  13. Jan 7, 2026HouseReferred to Finance 01/07/2026 HJ 1 P. 175
  14. Jan 8, 2026HouseReferral Waived by Committee Chair per House Rule 47(f) 01/08/2026 HJ 2 P. 57
  15. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Health and Human Services; SJ 2
  16. Feb 4, 2026SenHearing: 02/04/2026, Room 100, SH, 09:45 am; SC 4
  17. Feb 19, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 02/19/2026; Vote 5-0; CC; SC 6
  18. Feb 19, 2026SenOught to Pass: MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/19/2026; SJ 4
  19. Mar 12, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 03/12/2026); SJ 7
  20. Mar 12, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 03/12/2026 HJ 8 P. 115
  21. Mar 27, 2026HouseVetoed by Governor Ayotte 03/27/2026 HJ 10 P. 2
  22. Apr 9, 2026HouseVeto Sustained 04/09/2026: RC 145-206 Lacking Necessary Two-Thirds Vote HJ 10 P. 4

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.