STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2199

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 544, 545

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 544 and 545, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation

G.M. No. 544	ELIZABETH KENT, for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and
G.M. No. 545	LANI EWART, for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Elizabeth Kent and Lani Ewart to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for reappointment to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.

ELIZABETH KENT

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Elizabeth Kent from the Department of the Attorney General and nine individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kent's experience as an attorney and mediator, familiarity with governmental administration and alternative dispute resolution, and commitment to the promotion of just uniform legislation qualify her to be nominated for reappointment to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation. Your Committee notes that Ms. Kent has been the sole proprietor of an alternative dispute resolution business since 2013, and prior to that was Director of the Hawaii Judiciary's Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution. Ms. Kent has also served on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation as part of Hawaii's representation on the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws since 1998, and has worked on numerous model Acts that have subsequently been enacted in the State. Your Committee finds that Ms. Kent's experience as a mediator and commissioner as well as her dedication to the implementation of uniform legislation that takes into account the needs of Hawaii's communities will continue to be great assets to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.

LANI EWART

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Lani Ewart from the Department of the Attorney General and five individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Ewart's experience as an attorney and extensive tenure of service as a Commissioner to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation qualify her to be nominated for reappointment to the Commission. Your Committee notes that Ms. Ewart has served continuously on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation since 1977, and is presently the Chair of the Commission. Additionally, in recognition of her dedicated service to the promotion of uniform laws, Ms. Ewart was elected to life membership in the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws in 1998, and was the first female commissioner to be elected to life membership. In her tenure of service on the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws, she has been a member of several study and drafting committees, and has worked on numerous model Acts that have subsequently been enacted in Hawaii and other jurisdictions. Your Committee finds that Ms. Ewart's legal expertise and extensive experience as a Commissioner will continue to be great assets to the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary 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 Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair