STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3643

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NOS. 775, 776, 822, 823

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 775, 776, 822, and 823, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of: 

Policy Advisory Board For Elder Affairs

G.M. No. 775	JOHN TOMOSO, for a term to expire 06-30-2020;
G.M. No. 776	BEVERLY WITHINGTON, for a term to expire 06-30-2020;
G.M. No. 822	GARY SIMON, for a term to expire 06-30-2018; and
G.M. No. 823	SCOTT SPALLINA, for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

begs leave to report as follows:

JOHN TOMOSO

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of John Tomoso from the Executive Office on Aging; State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program; The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i Family Caregiver Coalition; J. Walter Cameron Center; and six individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee notes that Mr. Tomoso has done social work professionally for nearly four decades, and he has also personally experienced the challenges of being a caregiver.  Your Committee further finds that as a current member of the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, Mr. Tomoso has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members, and he has been an asset to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs when the Board conducts its business and deliberations.  Your Committee therefore finds that Mr. Tomoso has been nominated for reappointment to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs as a member from Maui County based on his knowledge, professional experience, and commitment to elder affairs in the State.

BEVERLY WITHINGTON

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Beverly Withington from the Executive Office on Aging and three individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Withington's professional experience as a Registered Nurse and as an attorney, in addition to her current service on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, give her a unique combination of skills and knowledge to contribute to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Withington has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and has been nominated for reappointment to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs as a public member based on her knowledge, professional experience, and commitment to elderly affairs in the State.

GARY SIMON

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Gary Simon from the Executive Office on Aging, State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Catholic Conference, and six individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee notes that Mr. Simon previously served on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs from 2005 to 2015, and thus has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members.  Your Committee also notes that Mr. Simon has worked with Hawaii's elderly residents for nearly three decades, including presently as Executive Director of St. Francis Hospice.  Your Committee therefore finds that Mr. Simon's professional experience and background qualify him for nomination to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs as a public member.

SCOTT SPALLINA

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Scott Spallina from AARP Hawaii and one individual.

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Spallina's professional experience and background qualify him for nomination to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs as a public member.  Your Committee notes that Mr. Spallina regularly contributes to resolving elder issues through his work as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Spallina's position as Supervisor of the Elder Abuse Unit at the Honolulu Office of the Prosecuting Attorney provides him with timely and valuable information about criminal issues that Hawaii's elderly population currently face.  Your Committee therefore finds that Mr. Spallina has been nominated to the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs as a public member based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services 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 Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair