STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3737

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 547

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 No. 547, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Language Access Advisory Council

G.M. No. 547

MARIA ARSUAGA, for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Maria Arsuaga for service on the Language Access Advisory Council.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Maria Arsuaga from the Office of Language Access, Hawaii Interpreter Action Network, and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Arsuaga's abilities, background, and interpreting credentials qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Council as the representative of a professional interpreter's organization. Your Committee notes that Ms. Arsuaga has served as an interpreter for the past twenty-five years and has been federally certified as a court interpreter, the highest credential available to United States court interpreters, for eighteen years. Ms. Arsuaga is also a member of the Hawaii Interpreter Action Network and the National Association of Judicial Interpreters and Translators. Your Committee notes that Ms. Arsuaga has experience interpreting with federal courts as well as the United Nations General Assembly, and has provided interpretation services for a wide variety of clients, subjects, and settings. Ms. Arsuaga also has experience as a spokesperson to heighten public awareness with the Better Business Bureau of New York, demonstrating her commitment to serving the public. Your Committee finds that Ms. Arsuaga will bring a variety of practical experiences and a fresh perspective to the Council.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair