HB 349-FN (2026): relative to the practice of optometry and authorization to perform ophthalmic laser procedures.

HB 349-FN (2026)

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

• Status: Vetoed, override failed
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Executive Departments and Administration
• Senate committee: Health and Human Services
• Subject: Occupational Regulation

The Story

It was introduced on January 8, 2025 and referred to the House Executive Departments and Administration committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 23, 2025, with 28 people signed in online: 11 in support and 17 in opposition. The committee retained the bill, holding it for further work rather than reporting it out this year. The committee held a work session on October 1, 2025. The committee met in executive session on October 1, 2025 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2025-2969h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 12–3. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2025-2969h) was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. A floor amendment (2026-0032h), offered by Rep. Erica Layon, was adopted on a voice vote on January 7, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On January 7, 2026 the House rejected a motion to kill it and bar the subject for the rest of the term on a roll call 133–205, on a motion by Rep. Mark Pearson. On January 7, 2026 the House failed “Lay HB349 on Table” on a roll call 94–242, on a motion by Rep. Peter Schmidt. On January 7, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 193–143. On January 7, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee, whose chair waived the referral under House Rule 47(f). It crossed to the Senate on January 7, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Health and Human Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on February 4, 2026. On February 19, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it, and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The bill was enrolled on March 12, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor. The governor vetoed it on March 27, 2026. The legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. On April 9, 2026 the House voted 145–206 on overriding the governor's veto on a roll call, and the veto was sustained, failing to meet the two thirds threshold.

Sponsors

• Rep. Jim Kofalt (R - Hills 32) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Alicia Gregg (D - Hills 7)
• Rep. Katy Peternel (R - Carr 6)
• Rep. Sheila Seidel (R - Hills 29)
• Sen. David Rochefort (R - SD1)
• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24)
• Sen. Howard Pearl (R - SD17)
• Sen. Ruth Ward (R - SD8)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 23, 2025, 2:00 PM: public hearing, House Executive Departments and Administration, LOB 306-308
• October 1, 2025, 10:00 AM: full committee work session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• October 1, 2025, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Executive Departments and Administration, GP 231
• January 7, 2026: floor debate, House
• February 4, 2026, 9:45 AM: hearing, Senate Health and Human Services, SH 100
• February 19, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 9, 2026: floor debate, House

Votes

• January 7, 2026, House: Indefinitely Postpone — yeas 133, nays 205, failed
• January 7, 2026, House: Lay on Table — yeas 94, nays 242, failed
• January 7, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 193, nays 143, passed
• February 19, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed
• April 9, 2026, House: Veto Override — yeas 145, nays 206, failed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 327

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HC 51, page 33
• HJ 1, pages 169, 170, 172, 174 and 175
• SJ 2
• HJ 2, page 57
• SC 4
• SJ 4
• SC 6
• SJ 7
• HJ 8, page 115
• HJ 10, pages 2 and 4
• This page’s data as JSON