STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3516

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 551, 552

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 551 and 552, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants

G.M. No. 551	KEVIN NAKAMURA, for a term to expire 06-30-2023; and
G.M. No. 552	ROGER BABCOCK, JR, for a term to expire 06-30-2023,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Kevin Nakamura and Roger Babcock, Jr. for service on the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants.

KEVIN NAKAMURA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Kevin Nakamura from the Department of Health and one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Nakamura's experience, background, and commitment to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Your Committee notes that Mr. Nakamura has over twenty-one years of wastewater experience and currently works as an Environmental Health Specialist with the Department of Health's Indoor and Radiological Health Branch. Mr. Nakamura also holds a Grade 4 wastewater treatment plant operator certificate. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Nakamura has served as an interim member of the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants since October 2019 and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Nakamura be appointed to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

ROGER BABCOCK, JR.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Roger Babcock, Jr. from the Department of Health.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Babcock's experience, knowledge, and dedication to public service qualify him for appointment to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Your Committee notes that Mr. Babcock has been a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the College of Engineering and the Water Resources Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa since 1995. Mr. Babcock also holds Professional Engineering licenses in California and Hawaii and previously served two terms on the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Babcock has served as an interim member of the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants since October 2019 and has a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of its members. Your Committee therefore recommends that Mr. Babcock be appointed to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service.

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