STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1380

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 560

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 560, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation

G.M. No. 560

KEN HIDESHI TAKAYAMA, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the appointee and finds Ken Hideshi Takayama to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.

     Testimony in support of the nomination of Ken Hideshi Takayama was submitted by the Department of the Attorney General, three Commissioners of the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation, one commissioner to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, and one individual.

     Mr. Takayama brings a wealth of professional experience to the Commission.  From January 2003 until his retirement in December 2010, Mr. Takayama served as the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.  Prior to that time, he served as the Assistant Director for Research with the Legislative Reference Bureau from December 1986 to December 2002.  He has also served as a Judge Advocate with the Army National Guard for many years and as a staff attorney for the Office of Council Services of the City and County of Honolulu.

     Mr. Takayama has served on the Commission since 1995.  During his tenure on the Commission, he has represented Hawaii on the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (also known as the Uniform Law Commission) (ULC), served on several ULC drafting and study committees, acted as the legislative liaison from Hawaii to the ULC, and served as a member of the ULC Standing Committee on Membership and Attendance and the Committee of Legislative Attorneys.  He has demonstrated his strong commitment to the Commission and to the promotion of uniform state laws by his active participation, including his attendance at annual meetings of the ULC even when budgetary limitations prevented full or even partial reimbursement for his travel expenses.

     Testimony submitted on behalf of his appointment by other Commissioners highlights his considerable value to the Commission and to the Legislature when the Commission assists legislators with analyzing and considering potential uniform acts for adoption.  Commissioners praised his enthusiasm in fulfilling his Commission obligations, observing that he works tirelessly to have uniform acts introduced in and moved through the Legislature by preparing testimony, testifying knowledgably at hearings, and working with legislators and other interested parties to address any concerns various groups may have.  The Commissioners commended Mr. Takayama's work with the Commission and his important role in facilitating its mission.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor 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 Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair