Florida · House Bill 449 · 2025 Regular Session

Optometry

HB 449 Sponsored by Alex Rizo Died in committee

  1. Introduced Feb 6, 2025
  2. In committee Feb 12, 2025
  3. Passed the House  
  4. Passed the Senate  
  5. To the governor  
  6. Became law Jul 1, 2025

What it does

The legislature's own summary of the bill, or its official long title.

Revises membership requirements for Board of Optometry; revises & provides rules to be implemented by board; revises requirements for administration & prescription of ocular pharmaceutical agents & provisions related to topical & oral ocular pharmaceutical agent formularies established by board; authorizes optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures to perform certain procedures; requires board to determine…

Read the full title (113 words)

Revises membership requirements for Board of Optometry; revises & provides rules to be implemented by board; revises requirements for administration & prescription of ocular pharmaceutical agents & provisions related to topical & oral ocular pharmaceutical agent formularies established by board; authorizes optometrist certified in ophthalmic procedures to perform certain procedures; requires board to determine required content, grading criteria, & passing score for such examination; authorizes certain procedures certified optometrist may perform; prohibits commercial or mercantile establishment from having any control over manner in which licensee practices optometry; removes provision prohibiting surgery of any kind; authorizes specified titles & abbreviations for certified optometrists; provides requirements for demonstration of financial responsibility as condition of licensure.

Every action

35 steps, oldest first, as the legislature records them.

Show the 27 earlier steps
  1. HouseFiled
  2. CommitteeReferred to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee · House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
  3. CommitteeReferred to Health & Human Services Committee · House Health & Human Services Committee
  4. CommitteeNow in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee · House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
  5. House1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
  6. CommitteeAdded to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee agenda · House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
  7. CommitteeFavorable with CS by Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee · House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee12–6 vote
  8. CommitteeReported out of Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee · House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
  9. HouseLaid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
  10. HouseCS Filed
  11. House1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
  12. CommitteeReferred to Health & Human Services Committee · House Health & Human Services Committee
  13. CommitteeNow in Health & Human Services Committee · House Health & Human Services Committee
  14. CommitteeAdded to Health & Human Services Committee agenda · House Health & Human Services Committee
  15. CommitteeFavorable with CS by Health & Human Services Committee · House Health & Human Services Committee17–7 vote
  16. CommitteeReported out of Health & Human Services Committee · House Health & Human Services Committee
  17. HouseLaid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
  18. HouseCS Filed
  19. House1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
  20. HouseBill referred to House Calendar
  21. HouseAdded to Second Reading Calendar
  22. HouseBill added to Special Order Calendar (4/24/2025)
  23. HouseAmendment 013801 filed
  24. HouseRead 2nd time
  25. HouseAmendment 013801 adopted
  26. HousePlaced on 3rd reading
  27. HouseAdded to Third Reading Calendar
  1. HouseRead 3rd time
  2. HouseCS passed as amended; YEAS 88, NAYS 24
  3. SenateIn Messages
  4. CommitteeReferred to Rules · Senate Rules
  5. HouseMessage sent to senate
  6. SenateReceived
  7. SenateIndefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
  8. CommitteeDied in Rules · Senate Rules

Roll calls

3 recorded votes: 1 on the floor, 2 in committee. Each shows how every member voted.

Passage · Full House

88–24
Apr 24, 2025 · journal entry
Yes 88 No 24 Not voting 7
Democrats: 17 yes, 12 no Republicans: 71 yes, 12 no
How each member voted

Yes · 88

No · 24

Not voting · 7

Committee and other votes

DateWhereQuestionResult
Mar 20, 2025 House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee Favorable with CS by Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
Members

Yes · 12

No · 6

 Passed 12–6
Apr 15, 2025 House Health & Human Services Committee Favorable with CS by Health & Human Services Committee
Members

Yes · 17

No · 7

Not voting · 2

 Passed 17–7

Sponsors

The member who introduced it, joined by 1 cosponsor: 1 Republican.

  • Alex RizoR Primary sponsor · District 112
  • H& Health & Human Services Committee Sponsoring committee
  • HP Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee Sponsoring committee
All 1 cosponsor

From Florida's official records (leg.state.fl.us; flhouse.gov), checked Nov 2, 2026. Text links go to the official versions; LegiList does not copy bill text.