STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3986

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 590, 595

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 590 and 595, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Statewide Voters With Special Needs Advisory Committee

G.M. No. 590	PATRICIA MORRISSEY, for a term to expire 06-30-2025; and
G.M. No. 595	KATHRYN KEIM, for a term to expire 06-30-2025,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Patricia Morrissey and Kathryn Keim for service on the Statewide Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee.

PATRICIA MORRISSEY

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Patricia Morrissey from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, and six individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Morrissey's expertise in the implementation and impact of disability policy, extensive experience promoting and educating others about policies and resources associated with empowering individuals with disabilities, and strong sense of equity for all persons' right to vote qualify her for appointment to the Statewide Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee. Your Committee notes that Ms. Morrissey served as the Director of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Training, Service, and Research at the Center on Disability Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa from 2016 to 2020, and that she was instrumental in drafting the Americans with Disabilities Education Act amendments of 1997, in addition to other significant pieces of legislation. Your Committee further notes that, as an individual with cerebral palsy and mobility impairment, she has directly experienced challenges when voting. Your Committee finds that Ms. Morrissey's comprehensive expertise developing federal and state disability policy, lived experience, and commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families will be great assets to the Committee and recommends that Patricia Morrissey be appointed to the Statewide Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee.

KATHRYN KEIM

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Kathryn Keim from eight individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Keim's extensive experience as a liaison between individuals with disabilities and government entities, expertise in policies related to accessible voting, and history of leadership in business and community organizations qualify her for appointment to the Statewide Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee. Your Committee notes Ms. Keim served as a Contract and Program Specialist in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Human Services from 2003 until 2014, and has been an Advocate Leader in the National Federation of the Blind in Hawaii since 1997. Your Committee further notes that, as a blind individual, she has diverse special needs voting experience. Your Committee finds that Ms. Keim's expertise as an advocate, lived experience, and commitment to equity and access to the political process for all people will be great assets to the Committee and recommends that Kathryn Keim be appointed to the Statewide Voters with Special Needs Advisory Committee.

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