STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3749

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 521, 522, 523

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 521, 522, and 523, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Hawai'i Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled SubstanceS

G.M. No. 521	BRYAN WATKINS, for a term to expire 06-30-2018;
G.M. No. 522	BRYAN WATKINS, for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and
G.M. No. 523	DIANA FELTON, for a term to expire 06-30-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Bryan Watkins and Diana Felton for service on the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances.

BRYAN WATKINS

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nominations for the appointment and reappointment of Bryan Watkins from the Department of Health, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Watkins' knowledge, background, and expertise qualify him to be nominated for appointment and reappointment to the Commission as the representative of the youth action segment of the community. Your Committee finds that Mr. Watkins is the co-owner of Clark Hatch Fitness Center, and notes the importance of physical and mental health in the prevention of drug and substance abuse. Your Committee also notes that Mr. Watkins serves on the executive committee of the Rotary Club of Honolulu, and in this capacity is actively involved in philanthropic work with an emphasis on outreach to at-risk youth. Your Committee finds that Mr. Watkins specifically helped organize the Rotary Club's "Ride So They Can Walk" campaign, whose participants collected pledges for each mile they biked, with the proceeds contributed to eradicating polio. Your Committee also finds that Mr. Watkins' strong community and business ties will be valuable resources for the Commission.

DIANA FELTON

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Diana Felton from the Department of Health, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Felton's knowledge, background, and expertise qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Commission as the representative of the medical segment of the community. Your Committee notes that Dr. Felton is currently employed as an assistant clinical professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine and as a board-certified emergency physician with Hawaii Emergency Physicians Associated, putting her in touch with the academic community and the front lines of the medical treatment field, especially with respect to drug and alcohol addiction. Dr. Felton is also one of the few board-certified toxicologists in Hawaii; in this capacity, she has conducted extensive research on poisoning and drug addiction. Your Committee also notes that Dr. Felton has experience dealing with the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts and Hawaii. Dr. Felton has also worked in one of the regions with the highest heroin usage, treated thousands of overdoses, and helped families recover from drug abuse, and is eager to provide scientifically sound recommendations to prevent and treat alcohol and drug abuse in Hawaii.

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