Vermont 2026 Biennium Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 10 R · 8 D · 1 I cosponsors

S.64 — An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Last action — Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 18, 2026

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced February 11, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Signed by Governor Phil Scott (Republican) on May 29, 2026.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 62% · high confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 19 sponsors

    1 primary, 18 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 3 parties (10 R · 8 D · 1 I) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

In plain language

This bill amends the practice scope for optometrists.

The bill updates the scope of practice for optometrists, allowing them to perform certain additional services. This change aims to expand the capabilities of optometrists in providing care.

Summary

An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists

Bill Text

We don't have the full text on file for this bill yet.

Read S.64 on the official Vermont source →

Action History

  1. Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 18, 2026

  2. Signed by Governor on June 18, 2026

  3. Delivered to Governor on June 12, 2026

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in

  5. Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth

  6. As passed by Senate and House

  7. House proposal of amendment concurred in

  8. House proposal of amendment; text

  9. Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth

  10. House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment

  11. Rules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney

  12. Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

  13. Rules suspended and bill placed in all remaining stages of passage as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney

  14. Which was agreed to on a Roll Call Passed -- Needed 66 of 131 to Pass -- Yeas = 93, Nays = 38

  15. Third Reading ordered

  16. Rep. O'Brien of Tunbridge demanded yeas and nays

  17. Pending the question, Shall the bill be read a third time?, division demanded by Rep. Boyden of Cambridge

  18. Rep. Nugent of South Burlington moved that the House propose to the Senate to amend the bill, which was agreed to

  19. Rep. Mrowicki of Putney recommended for the Committee on Appropriations

  20. Rep. Waszazak of Barre City recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means

  21. Rep. Birong of Vergennes reported for the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs

  22. Rep. Soucy of Barre Town reported for the Committee on Health Care

  23. Read second time

  24. Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney

  25. Notice Calendar: Favorable

  26. Pending entry on Notice Calendar, referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)

  27. Pending entry on Notice Calendar, referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)

  28. Rep. Soucy of Barre Town moved to commit the bill to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, which was agreed to

  29. Action Calendar: Favorable

  30. Notice Calendar: Favorable

  31. Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care

  32. Read 3rd time & passed

  33. New Business/Third Reading

  34. 3rd reading ordered

  35. Motion to amend bill agreed to

  36. Recommendation of amendment by Senator(s) Morley, text

  37. Reported favorably by Senator Norris for Committee on Appropriations

  38. Reported favorably by Senator Mattos for Committee on Finance

  39. Reported favorably by Senator Morley for Committee on Health and Welfare

  40. Reported favorably by Senator Collamore for Committee on Government Operations

  41. Read 2nd time

  42. Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Morley

  43. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  44. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  45. Favorable report by Committee on Health and Welfare

  46. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

  47. Unfinished Business/Second Reading

  48. Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Morley

  49. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  50. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  51. Favorable report by Committee on Health and Welfare

  52. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

  53. Second Reading

  54. Recommendation of amendment to be offered by Senator(s) Morley

  55. Favorable report by Committee on Appropriations

  56. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  57. Favorable report by Committee on Health and Welfare

  58. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

  59. Second Reading

  60. Entered on Notice Calendar

  61. Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31

  62. Favorable report by Committee on Finance

  63. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

  64. Favorable report by Committee on Health and Welfare

  65. Entered on Notice Calendar

  66. Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31

  67. Favorable report by Committee on Health and Welfare

  68. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

  69. Second Reading

  70. Entered on Notice Calendar

  71. Rules suspended & bill committed to Committee on Health and Welfare with the report of Committee on Government Operations intact, on motion of Senator Collamore

  72. Favorable report by Committee on Government Operations

  73. Second Reading

  74. Entered on Notice Calendar

  75. Committee on Health and Welfare relieved; bill committed to Committee on Government Operations on motion of Senator Lyons

  76. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 18 co-sponsors · 171 not signed on · 34 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (18)

Not signed on (171)

171 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 171 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Which was agreed to

Passed 93 Yea · 38 Nay · 19 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 4032011
Progressive/Democrat 2001
Republican 43104
Unaffiliated 4401
Republican/Democrat 2000
Independent 2102
Total 9338019
% of votes cast 62%25%0%13%
How each member voted (150)
Member Party Vote
Brown of Richmond — Nay
Casey of Hubbardton — Yea
Casey of Montpelier — Nay
Hooper of Randolph — Not Voting
Long of Milton — Yea
Long of Newfane — Nay
Taylor of Mendon — Yea
White of Bethel — Yea
White of Waitsfield — Nay
Abbey Duke Democrat Not Voting
Alice M. M Emmons Democrat Yea
Alyssa Black Democrat Nay
Amy D Sheldon Democrat Yea
Amy D Sheldon Democrat Nay
Angela Arsenault Democrat Nay
Barbara Rachelson Democrat Nay
Bram Kleppner Democrat Yea
Brian Minier Democrat Nay
Bridget M Burkhardt Democrat Nay
Carol Ode Democrat Nay
Charles A Kimbell Democrat Yea
Chea Waters Evans Democrat Nay
Christopher Morrow Democrat Yea
Daisy Berbeco Democrat Yea
Daniel A Noyes Democrat Yea
Dara Torre Democrat Not Voting
David K Durfee Democrat Yea
David W Yacovone Democrat Nay
Doug Bishop Democrat Nay
Edward "Teddy" Waszazak Democrat Yea
Edye Graning Democrat Yea
Ela Chapin Democrat Nay
Elizabeth L Burrows Democrat Nay
Emilie K Kornheiser Democrat Not Voting
Emilie Krasnow Democrat Nay
Emily Carris Duncan Democrat Yea
Erin Brady Democrat Nay
Esme Cole Democrat Yea
Gayle S Pezzo Democrat Nay
Golrang "Rey" Garofano Democrat Nay
Herb Olson Democrat Yea
Ian Goodnow Democrat Nay
James W Masland Democrat Yea
Jill L Krowinski Democrat Not Voting
John K O'Brien Democrat Yea
John L Bartholomew Democrat Not Voting
Jonathan Cooper Democrat Yea
Jubilee McGill Democrat Yea
Karen Lueders Democrat Nay
Karen N Dolan Democrat Nay
Kate Lalley Democrat Yea
Kate McCann Democrat Nay
Kate Nugent Democrat Yea
Kathleen C James Democrat Nay
Kevin "Coach" B Christie Democrat Not Voting
Kevin P Scully Democrat Not Voting
Kristi C Morris Democrat Yea
Larry Satcowitz Democrat Yea
Leanne Harple Democrat Yea
Leonora Dodge Democrat Nay
Leslie Goldman Democrat Yea
Lori Houghton Democrat Nay
Lucy Boyden Democrat Nay
Marc B Mihaly Democrat Yea
Martin J LaLonde Democrat Nay
Mary E. E Howard Democrat Not Voting
Mary-Katherine A Stone Democrat Not Voting
Matthew J Birong Democrat Yea
Michael Mrowicki Democrat Yea
Michael N Hoyt Democrat Yea
Michael Nigro Democrat Yea
Michelle Bos-Lun Democrat Not Voting
Mollie S. S Burke Democrat Nay
Mollie S. S Burke Democrat Yea
Monique Priestley Democrat Yea
Peter C Conlon Democrat Not Voting
Phil Pouech Democrat Yea
R. Scott Campbell Democrat Yea
Rebecca Holcombe Democrat Nay
Robert Hunter Democrat Yea
Robin P Scheu Democrat Nay
Sarah "Sarita" C Austin Democrat Nay
Saudia LaMont Democrat Yea
Shawn Sweeney Democrat Yea
Theresa A Wood Democrat Nay
Thomas S Stevens Democrat Yea
Tiffany Bluemle Democrat Nay
Timothy R. R Corcoran II Democrat Yea
Trevor J Squirrell Democrat Yea
Wendy A Critchlow Democrat Yea
William "Will" Greer Democrat Yea
Zon Eastes Democrat Nay
Anne B. B Donahue Independent Not Voting
Jed Lipsky Independent Yea
Joseph Parsons Independent Not Voting
Laura H Sibilia Independent Yea
Troy Headrick Independent Nay
Brian J Cina Progressive/Democrat Not Voting
Chloe Tomlinson Progressive/Democrat Yea
Kate Logan Progressive/Democrat Yea
Allen "Penny" R Demar Republican Yea
Anthony "Tony" Micklus Republican Yea
Beth M Quimby Republican Yea
Brenda Steady Republican Yea
Carolyn W Branagan Republican Yea
Chris Keyser Republican Yea
Christopher "Chris" A Pritchard Republican Yea
Christopher Howland Republican Yea
David "Dave" Bosch Republican Yea
David J Soucy Republican Yea
Deborah "Debbie" C Dolgin Republican Yea
Debra L Powers Republican Yea
Eileen G Dickinson Republican Yea
Eric Maguire Republican Not Voting
Gina M Galfetti Republican Yea
Gregory "Greg" Burtt Republican Yea
Jack H Brigham Republican Yea
James A Gregoire Republican Yea
Joseph "Joe" Luneau Republican Yea
Joshua Dobrovich Republican Yea
Kenneth "Ken" L Wells Republican Yea
Kenneth W Goslant Republican Yea
Kevin C Winter Republican Not Voting
Larry Labor Republican Yea
Leland J Morgan Republican Yea
Lisa A Hango Republican Yea
Mark A Higley Republican Yea
Martha A Feltus Republican Yea
Mary A. A Morrissey Republican Yea
Matt E Walker Republican Yea
Michael "Mike" Southworth Republican Yea
Michael "Mike" Tagliavia Republican Yea
Michael Boutin Republican Yea
Michael J Marcotte Republican Yea
Michael R Morgan Republican Yea
Patricia A McCoy Republican Yea
Richard J Bailey Republican Yea
Richard M Nelson Republican Yea
Rob North Republican Yea
Sandra "Sandy" H Pinsonault Republican Yea
Thomas "Tom" F Charlton Republican Yea
Thomas B Burditt Republican Not Voting
Todd Nielsen Republican Not Voting
VL L Coffin IV Republican Yea
Wayne A Laroche Republican Yea
William P Canfield Republican Yea
Woodman H Page Republican Nay
Zachary J Harvey Republican Yea
Alicia Malay Republican/Democrat Yea
Ashley R Bartley Republican/Democrat Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

healthcare labor
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does S.64 do?
An act relating to amendments to the scope of practice for optometrists
Who sponsors S.64?
S.64 is sponsored by Rebecca "Becca" E White (Democrat), Philip E Baruth (Democrat/Progressive), Scott L Beck (Republican), Patrick "Pat" M Brennan (Republican), Randy D Brock (Republican), Thomas I Chittenden (Democrat), Alison Clarkson (Democrat), Brian P Collamore (Republican), Samuel A Douglass (Republican), Ruth E Hardy (Democrat), Wendy K Harrison (Democrat), Larry Hart (Republican), Joseph "Joe" D Major (Democrat), Christopher P Mattos (Republican), Robert W Norris (Republican), Robert Plunkett (Democrat), Tanya C Vyhovsky (Progressive/Democrat), David H Weeks (Republican), and Terry K Williams (Republican).
What is the current status of S.64?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced February 11, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track S.64?
Track S.64 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on S.64

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of S.64

Last checked for changes 14 days ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →