STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1267

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 600, 601

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 600 and 601, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Examiners in Optometry

G.M. No. 600	GAYLE CHANG, for a term to expire 6-30-2015; and
G.M. No. 601	KEVIN K. LUI, for a term to expire 6-30-2015,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee has reviewed the resume submitted by Gayle Chang and the personal statement and curriculum vitae submitted by Kevin K. Lui and finds the nominees to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated and nominated for reappointment to the Board of Examiners in Optometry, respectively.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Gayle Chang from the Board of Examiners in Optometry.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that this nominee has been a licensed professional in a regulated field for more than thirty-five years.  Your Committee further finds that this nominee has demonstrated leadership within her chosen profession, serving in elected and appointed positions within the American Dental Hygienists' Association and elected positions including Vice President, Treasurer, and President of the Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association.  In addition, this nominee has developed expertise with professional regulation and licensing through service as a member and Chair of the Dental Hygiene Examination Committee of the American Board of Dental Examiners and as a dental hygiene examiner with the Central Regional Dental Testing Service and Northeast Regional Board.  Your Committee notes that this nominee has additional experience with the State's regulatory structures through eight years of service on the Board of Dental Examiners, including four years of service as its Vice Chair.  Your Committee finds that because of this nominee's long record of service to her profession and community and her first‑hand experience with the State's regulatory system, this nominee is very well-qualified to serve as a public member of the Board of Examiners in Optometry.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Kevin K. Lui from the Board of Examiners in Optometry and Hawaii Optometric Association.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that this nominee for reappointment to the Board of Optometric Examiners has practiced as a licensed optometrist for more than twenty-five years.  Throughout his career, this nominee has been an active participant in the governance and maintenance of high standards in his profession through holding leadership positions in the Hawaii Optometric Association continuously for more than twenty years and serving as a member of private and public bodies related to the practice of optometry.  Your Committee also finds that this nominee has been recognized by his peers and the community for excellence in his profession:  he was named Optometrist of the Year by the Hawaii Optometric Association in 1999 and received The Honolulu Advertiser People's Choice Award for Best Optometrist in 2007 and 2008.  Your Committee notes that in addition to serving as a member of the Board of Examiners in Optometry since 2007, this nominee has also served the public through membership on the Hawaii State Department of Transportation Medical Advisory Board, Hawaii Regulated Industries Complaints Office Advisory Committee for Optometry, and Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee.  Your Committee finds that this nominee's demonstrated commitment to public service, extensive engagement with the public regulatory process, and professional accomplishments qualify him for reappointment to the Board of Examiners in Optometry.

     Your Committee finds that Gayle Chang has been nominated for appointment and Kevin K. Lui has been nominated for reappointment to the Board of Examiners in Optometry based on their knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair