HB 4302 West Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Relating to authorizing the Board of Optometry to promulgate a legislative rule relating to licensure by reciprocity.

HB 4302 authorizes West Virginia's Board of Optometry to implement a specific administrative rule (14 CSR 08) for optometrists seeking licensure through reciprocity with other states. The bill formally approves a rule the Board previously developed, modified to address legislative committee concerns, which governs how out-of-state licenses may be recognized. This affects optometrists applying for West Virginia licensure without retaking exams, streamlining the process for qualified professionals moving between states.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Jan 22, 2026
Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
0
Committee
4
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
To House Judiciary
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Do pass, but first to Judiciary
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To House Health and Human Resources
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To Health and Human Resources then Judiciary
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Doug Smith
Doug Smith
RRepublican
WV
39