TDOA's grassroots campaign was a success
Volunteers, emails and phone calls delayed the vote, then carried it. The bill saving the Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians was signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 21, 2026.
On Monday April 13, 2026 our lobbyist, Theo Morrison, needed volunteers to help speak to legislators about saving the Tennessee Board of Dispensing Opticians. The TDOA jumped into action and sent our treasurer, Felda Stacey, director for the Nashville chapter, Ashley Swinger, and members Chris Milam, Jane Moore and Leigha Toonk. We also had all of you sending emails and making phone calls. That effort successfully delayed the vote until the following Tuesday April 21st.
The next Monday, April 20th another group met on Capitol Hill. The TDOA secretary, Mellissa Misiak, and our TDOA board members who are also on the opticians licensing board, Le Rhonda Walton-Hill from Knoxville, Larry Christopher from Memphis and Jonathan Winnegrad from Cleveland, TN. We were knocking on office doors, passing out letters and explaining our dilemma to anyone who would listen. The group also met with four legislators privately and explained the need for the licensing board.
The bill passed the house and the senate and was signed by Governor Bill Lee on May 21, 2026. The bill goes into effect on July 1, 2026.
Many of the legislators knew about our board because of the emails and phone calls from all of you. Thank you so much for your support. We could not have done it without you.
Looking toward the future, the TDOA plans on keeping our profession fresh on the minds of all the legislators in Tennessee. We are going to arrange at least one “Day on the Hill” for 2027 where we will clean glasses and talk to people about our profession and why it is important. Those dates will be announced with volunteer sign up opportunities as they come up!