STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2682

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 224

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 224, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Crime Victim Compensation Commission

 

G.M. No. 224

THOMAS T. WATTS,

for a term to expire 6-30-2014,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of Thomas T. Watts from the Crime Victim Compensation Commission and the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Thomas T. Watts is a practicing attorney in Honolulu.  He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and the University of Michigan Law School with a Juris Doctor degree.  The nominee is being reappointed.

 

     Your Committee notes favorably from the nominee's personal statement:  "In my view, the most important function of the Commissioners is to set policies and develop both rules of procedure and rules of compensation."  He states that he is analytical, persistent, and compassionate, which is valuable to the Commission and to victims.  Your Committee is particularly intrigued by Mr. Watts' plan to obtain funding for the Crime Victim Compensation Commission by instigating subrogation lawsuits against the perpetrators of crime to reimburse the Commission for awards to victims.  He mentions the possibility of pro bono work through the William S. Richardson School of Law and the Hawaii State Bar Association.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that are 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 Public Safety and Military Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair