STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1973

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 620

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 620, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Hawai'i Paroling Authority

G.M. No. 620

LINDA RICH, for a term to expire 06-30-2028,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Linda Rich for service on the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Linda Rich from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Hawaii Paroling Authority, Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice, Hina Mauka, Adult Friends for Youth, and twenty-seven individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Rich's background and experience qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Hawaii Paroling Authority as a member. Your Committee notes that Ms. Rich is a licensed social worker with over three decades of experience. She has received several awards for her social work. Ms. Rich also has vast work experience with several organizations, including supervisory and managerial positions in both clinical and non-clinical settings. She possesses the prerequisite knowledge, honed leadership and decision-making skills, and social work background to bring a human services perspective to the membership of the Hawaii Paroling Authority that will benefit the population she is dedicated to serving. Ms. Rich understands the root causes of criminality as well as the approaches that can be effective for transformation. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Rich has specialized skills developed through years of understanding and relating to families and justice-related individuals, and that she will promote effective re-entry strategies to address recidivism, making her an ideal candidate for service in the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Your Committee therefore recommends that Linda Rich be appointed to the Hawaii Paroling Authority based on her knowledge, experience, and leadership skills.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs 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 Public Safety and Military Affairs,

____________________________

BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair