STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1981

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 641

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 641, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Commission on Fatherhood

G.M. No. 641

JEFF ESMOND, for a term to expire 06-30-2027,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Jeff Esmond for service on the Commission on Fatherhood.

Your Committee did not receive testimony on the nomination for the appointment of Jeff Esmond for service on the Commission on Fatherhood.

Upon review of Jeff Esmond's testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Esmond's professional experience, background, and desire to serve his community qualify him for consideration for appointment to the Commission on Fatherhood. Mr. Esmond has nearly thirty years of experience in retirement plan administration and has been the owner and President of Hawaii5500 LLC, a third-party administrator of employer-sponsored retirement and welfare plans, since 2017. Mr. Esmond is also an active member in his community and has served on the Kaneohe Business Group since 2018, the Health and Wellness Committee for Kaneohe Elementary School since 2015, and the Nuuanu YMCA Membership Advisory Committee. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Esmond has been a member of the Commission on Fatherhood since 2021, and currently serves as its Chair and the Chair of its Finance Committee.

Your Committee further finds that Mr. Esmond brings to the Commission the underrepresented perspective of a father who happens to be gay. Mr. Esmond has personally experienced the challenges of understanding his identity and coming out to his family and other individuals in his life. Your Committee also notes that Mr. Esmond and his husband pursued, and have overcome various barriers, to become fathers to three children through surrogacy. Moreover, Mr. Esmond also understands that gay men, despite many stereotypes, are as diverse as any given group and no single set of standards or generalizations applies to all. Your Committee believes that Mr. Esmond's perspective is essential to the Commission on Fatherhood in helping its members understand and provide guidance to fathers in the State on various issues, including those faced by gay fathers, fathers of children who have come out or not yet come out as gay, and fathers of children who are transgender. Your Committee finds that Mr. Esmond's expertise in financial issues, experience as a gay man who pursued fatherhood and overcame various barriers to becoming a father through surrogacy, and his desire to serve his community, will continue to be great assets to the Commission on Fatherhood. Your Committee therefore recommends that Jeff Esmond be appointed to the Commission on Fatherhood.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services 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 Health and Human Services,

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair