SSCR1606

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1606

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 547, 548, 549

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 547, 548, and 549, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

State Rehabilitation Council

G.M. No. 547

GEORGE MASSENGALE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020;

G.M. No. 548

LANELLE YAMANE,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020; and

G.M. No. 549

MARK TRAVALINO,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories and resumes submitted by the nominees and finds George Massengale, Lanelle Yamane, and Mark Travalino to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the State Rehabilitation Council.

GEORGE MASSENGALE

Your Committee received testimony in support of George Massengale from one individual.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Massengale's background as a health advocate and advocate for individuals with disabilities qualify him to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. Mr. Massengale is presently the Community Outreach and Advocacy Manager for the Hawaii Habitat for Humanity State Association, overseeing all outreach and advocacy activities in the State of Hawaii and Pacific Territories. Mr. Massengale has also served as the Legislative and Government Relations Director for the American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific and Policy and Advocacy Director for the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii. Your Committee notes that Mr. Massengale is active in the community as a member of the American Cancer Society and Hawaii Audubon Society and Board member of Housing Hawaii, Inc. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Massengale be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on his background and dedication to serving the community.

LANELLE YAMANE

Your Committee received testimony in support of Lanelle Yamane from one individual.

Your Committee finds Ms. Yamane's professional qualifications and experiences in the field of vocational rehabilitation qualify her to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. Ms. Yamane is presently a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist for PACBLU Hawaii, providing, among other things, career counseling assistance to clients and personal, social, adjustment to disability, and vocational adjustment counseling. Ms. Yamane has also served as a Vocational Expert for the Social Security Administration in Hilo, Hawaii, as well as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist for the Department of Human Services' Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind. In addition to being a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Ms. Yamane is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She has demonstrated her leadership abilities by having served as President-Elect of the Hawaii Rehabilitation Counselor Association from 2014 to 2016. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Yamane be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on her extensive professional background in the field of vocational rehabilitation and leadership skills.

MARK TRAVALINO

Your Committee received testimony in support of Mark Travalino from two individuals.

Your Committee finds that Mr. Travalino's experience in the construction industry and his familiarity with on-site injuries in that occupational setting qualify him to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. Mr. Travalino has been a Field Representative with Local 368 of the Laborer's International Union of North America for over twenty-five years. He has valuable insight into workplace injuries in the construction industry as he has worked as a General Laborer and Masonry Laborer in the past. Upon review of the testimony, your Committee further finds that Mr. Travalino understands the work environment and workers' compensation system very well, especially at it relates to the rehabilitation of workers in the construction industry. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Travalino be appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council based on his experience in the labor industry and understanding of the difficulty and mental stress workers experience when attempting to re-enter the workforce after an accident.

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,

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair