STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2198

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 711

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 No. 711, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Commission on the Status of Women

G.M. No. 711

DEJA OSTROWSKI, for a term to expire 06-30-2022,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Deja Ostrowski to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated for appointment to the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Deja Ostrowski from the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Oahu County Committee of the Oahu County Democrats, and twenty-three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Ostrowski's legal and policy experience, administrative expertise, and commitment to advocacy qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women. Your Committee notes that Ms. Ostrowski has served as the Public Policy Advocate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and as a staff attorney for the Domestic Violence Action Center. Currently, she is a practicing attorney with the Medical-Legal Partnership Hawai‘i, where she advocates on behalf of women exiting incarceration, women who are unsheltered and housing insecure, women with physical and mental disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence. Your Committee finds that Ms. Ostrowski's extensive knowledge of the numerous legal and policy issues facing women in the State, experience working with indigent and marginalized women, and dedication to public service will be great assets to the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair