STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2799

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2876

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2876 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to exempt natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and Institute for Justice.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and John Chambers College of Business and Economics Knee Regulatory Research Center of West Virginia University.

Your Committee finds that natural hair braiding is a safe practice that does not involve cutting, dyeing, or the use of harsh chemicals, however obtaining licensure requires completion of 1,250 hours in a state-approved hairdressing program, which can cost upwards of $17,000 in tuition. This measure would align the State with thirty-five other states by removing license requirements for natural hair braiding.

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. 2876 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair