STAND. COM. REP. NO. 490

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1619

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1619 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE COSMETOLOGY LICENSURE COMPACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Authorize the Governor to enter into a Cosmetology Licensure Compact on behalf of the State to provide a streamlined process that allows cosmetologists to obtain a multistate license enabling them to practice cosmetology in another state without obtaining a separate license under the laws of that state;

(2) Require the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact; and

(3) Authorize the Governor to enter into the Compact effective January 1, 2026.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Future of the Beauty Industry Coalition, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Professional Beauty Association, CARES, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Council of State Governments and the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Your Committee finds that interstate licensure compacts, including the Cosmetology Compact, provide seamless reciprocity for individuals who move between states, either by choice or by necessity. Granting people the ability to begin cosmetology work immediately upon relocating to the State removes unnecessary burdens on beauty workers while expanding occupational freedom. This measure would make it easier for cosmetologists licensed in other states to practice in Hawaii, contributing to workforce and economic assets in the State while also reducing the workload of the Hawaii Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1619, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1619, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair