STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2389

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 506

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 506, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Director of the Department of Taxation

G.M. No. 506

LINDA CHU TAKAYAMA, for a term to expire at noon on 12-03-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal statement and resume submitted by Linda Chu Takayama for service as the Director of Taxation.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination from the Office of the Governor; the Department of Accounting and General Services; the Department of Agriculture; the Department of the Attorney General; the Department of Budget and Finance; the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Department of Defense; the Department of Health; the Department of Human Resources Development; the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; the Department of Land and Natural Resources; the Department of Public Safety; the Department of Transportation; the Hawaii Tourism Authority; the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board; the Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Hawaii 3Rs; Hawaiian Electric Company; Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation; Hawaii Health Information Corporation; Hawaii Pacific Health; SanHi Government Strategies; United Public Workers; and thirteen individuals.

     Upon review of the testimony and the nominee's qualifications, your Committee finds that the nominee has served as the interim Director of Taxation since December of last year.  Your Committee notes that the nominee previously served as the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Deputy Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development, City and County of Honolulu.  Your Committee also notes that the nominee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Hawaii and a Juris Doctor degree from George Mason University.

     Your Committee finds that Linda Chu Takayama's extensive experience in public service will make her an effective leader of the Department of Taxation.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is 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 Ways and Means,

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair