SSCR1629

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1629

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 701, 702

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 701 and 702, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators

G.M. No. 701

MARK PRESCOTT,

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

G.M. No. 702

JODI YAMAMI,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Mark Prescott and Jodi Yamami to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators.

MARK PRESCOTT

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Mark Prescott from the Department of Health, Pūlama Lāna‘i, and one individual.

Mr. Prescott is presently the owner and operator of the Hawaiian Beaches Water Company's small water system on the Island of Hawaii. Your Committee finds that Mr. Prescott has over eleven years of experience in the drinking water industry and has managed numerous major water system improvements that included a new well installation, meter retrofit program, back-up generator installation, and reservoir replacement. In addition, Mr. Prescott is certified as a Distribution System Operator and Water Treatment Plan Operator and is the Operator in Responsible Charge for two water systems. Your Committee further finds that Mr. Prescott is familiar with the daily operations of water systems at all levels, from basic repairs to compliance sampling. Your Committee notes that Mr. Prescott is active in his community as a volunteer soccer coach for multiple soccer clubs. In his personal statement, Mr. Prescott indicated that he hopes to ensure that only qualified applicants become certified to safely operate public water systems. Your Committee finds that Mr. Prescott's background, professional expertise, and community involvement will be very beneficial to the Board.

JODI YAMAMI

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Jodi Yamami from the Department of Health and two individuals.

Ms. Yamami is currently an Engineer with the Department of Health's Safe Drinking Water Branch, a role in which she is responsible for the implementation and administration of the drinking water treatment plant operator and distribution system operator certification programs. Your Committee finds that Ms. Yamami has over twenty years of professional experience as an engineer and has gained much experience working with operators by renewing certifications, providing technical assistance, developing and conducting training, and many other critical services related to the operation of public water systems. In her personal statement, Ms. Yamami indicated that she hopes to ensure that only capable and responsible operators become certified in Hawaii to safeguard the community's water systems. Your Committee notes that Ms. Yamami has served two previous terms as a member of the Board of Certification of Public Water System Operators and has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members. Your Committee finds that Ms. Yamami's professional experience, knowledge, and previous service on the Board will be great assets to the Board.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health 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, Consumer Protection, and Health,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair