Which of the following statements is true regarding the board's authority over rules and regulations?

The correct interpretation of the board's authority over rules and regulations is that it is prohibited from adopting rules pertaining to price fixing. This is consistent with the principles of fair competition and consumer protection in the marketplace. Price fixing, which involves agreeing to set prices at a certain level rather than allowing market forces to dictate prices, is generally viewed as anti-competitive conduct and can lead to legal repercussions under antitrust laws.

This prohibition aligns with the broader objective of ensuring that regulatory actions promote fair and open competition, which ultimately benefits consumers by allowing them to benefit from competitive pricing.

The authority of boards, such as the California Board of Optometry, is typically geared towards regulating the practice of optometry, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining professional standards rather than engaging in practices that could manipulate market pricing. Understanding this distinction is vital for navigating the regulations pertaining to optometry and related fields.