STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1529

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 603

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 603, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Deputy Director of the Department of Taxation

G.M. No. 603

DAMIEN A. ELEFANTE, for a term to expire at noon on 12‑05‑2022,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal statement and resume submitted by Damien Elefante for service as the Deputy Director of the Department of Taxation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination from the Office of the Governor; Department of Defense; Department of Human Resources and Development; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Human Services; Department of Accounting and General Services; Department of Transportation; Department of Accounting and General Services; Department of Public Safety; Department of Agriculture; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Office of Enterprise Technology Services; and numerous individuals.

Upon review of the testimony and the nominee's qualifications, your Committee finds that the nominee has served as the Deputy Director of Taxation since August 2016. Your Committee notes that the nominee previously served as Compliance Coordinator for the Department of Taxation; Deputy Attorney General, focusing on tax-related cases; Associate Attorney at Hiska Stone Goto Yoshida Cosgrove and Ching; and law clerk for Chief Judge James S. Burns at the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Your Committee also notes that the nominee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and a law degree from Syracuse University College of Law.

Your Committee finds that Damien Elefante's education and extensive experience in law, taxation, and public service will make him an effective Deputy Director 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