STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1957

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 571, 667

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor and Technology, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 571 and 667, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan

G.M. No. 571	ERIC NOUCHI, for a term to expire 06-30-2028; and
G.M. No. 667	TY NOHARA, for a term to expire 06-30-2029,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Eric Nouchi and Ty Nohara for service on the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan.

ERIC NOUCHI

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Eric Nouchi from the Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Human Services, and the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Mr. Nouchi's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership qualify him to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan as a public employee member. Mr. Nouchi is currently the Finance Officer of the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division, where he is responsible for preparing the annual budget, forming requests to the Legislature, supporting procurement and contracting activities, and leading preparations of the six-year financial plan for the Medicaid Program. Prior to this leadership role, Mr. Nouchi accumulated nearly twenty years of budget and fiscal experience in the legislative and executive branches of government, working for the House Finance Committee and Department of Education. Testifiers noted that Mr. Nouchi's knowledge and depth of experience in accounting, financial planning, and procurement would be assets to the Board. Your Committee further notes that Mr. Nouchi has served as an interim appointee to the Board since August 2024, and is therefore familiar with the role and responsibilities of its members. Your Committee therefore recommends that Eric Nouchi be appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan based on his experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

TY NOHARA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Ty Nohara from the Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan, Pacxa, and four individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Nohara's experience, knowledge, and proven leadership qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan as a public employee member. Ms. Nohara is currently the Commissioner of Securities of the Business Registration Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, where she has served the public for the past decade. In this role, Ms. Nohara is responsible for guiding the Division's administrative and operational activities, overseeing a $10,000,000 budget, and leading a team to modernize and upgrade internal technology systems. Prior to her current leadership role, Ms. Nohara also served as the Chief Compliance Officer of a private company and a securities enforcement attorney for the State. Your Committee further notes that Ms. Nohara also serves the public through civic engagement, participating in various committees offering investor education to seniors and children. Ms. Nohara's financial literacy, knowledge of the State's regulatory framework, and experience cooperating with state agencies and external stakeholders will be assets to the Board. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ty Nohara be appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan based on her experience, knowledge, and commitment to public service.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor and Technology 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 Labor and Technology,

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair