STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2842

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 220

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 220, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation

G.M. No. 220

ELIZABETH KENT, for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Ms. Elizabeth Kent was submitted by one state agency and ten individuals.  The nominee also submitted a statement.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Ms. Kent obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from the University of Colorado, and a Juris Doctor degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law, where she served on the law review.  Since 1996, she has served as the Director of the Hawaii Judiciary's Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution.  Prior to her position as Director, she worked as a Research Analyst with the Center from 1994 to 1996.  Between 2001 and 2002, during a leave of absence from her work with the Center, she was the Deputy Director of the Department of Human Services.  Between 1988 and 1994, she worked in private practice as an associate with the law firm of Paul, Johnson, Park & Niles, concentrating her practice in all aspects of commercial litigation.  From 1990 to 1996, she also worked as a lecturer at the University of Hawaii, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in business law.  Between 1986 and 1987, Ms. Kent was a Staff Attorney with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  From 1985 to 1986, Ms. Kent was a Law Clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. 

     Ms. Kent has served as a Commissioner on the Uniform Law Commission (Commission) since 1988.  She also serves as a member of the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws' Drafting Committee on a Uniform Collaborative Law Act.  Her commitment to the Commission is evidenced not only by her hard work with the Commission, but also by her willingness to expend her own funds to attend national meetings when funding from the State has not been available.  Testimony submitted by other Commissioners praised her careful review and consideration of the uniform laws on a line-by-line, and sometimes word-by-word basis, but also her ongoing communication with groups and individuals who may be interested in the new uniform acts to get their input.  Your Committee believes that allowing Ms. Kent to continue to serve on the Commission will permit her to further this important work.

     Based on the nominee's qualifications and experience, your Committee finds that Ms. Kent possesses the attributes necessary to serve on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair