SSCR1609

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1609

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 559, 560, 561, 562

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 559, 560, 561, and 562, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Board of Physical Therapy

G.M. No. 559	DEBRA KUBOTA, for a term to expire 6-30-2019;
G.M. No. 560	RACHELLE IOPA, for a term to expire 6-30-2019;
G.M. No. 561	MICHAEL TURNER, for a term to expire 6-30-2019; and
G.M. No. 562	JILL WAKABAYASHI, for a term to expire 6-30-2018,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Debra Kubota, Rachelle Iopa, Michael Turner, and Jill Wakabayashi to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Board of Physical Therapy.

DEBRA KUBOTA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Debra Kubota from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and four individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Kubota's background, experience, and proven leadership on the Board of Physical Therapy qualify her for reappointment to the Board of Physical Therapy as a physical therapist member. Your Committee notes that Ms. Kubota has been a physical therapist in Hawaii for thirty-five years and has experience in several physical therapy settings, including acute care, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Kubota has been a member of the Board of Physical Therapy since July 2012 and has recently volunteered to take the lead in developing a jurisprudence course that will be required of all physical therapists renewing their licenses in Hawaii by the end of next year. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Kubota be reappointed to the Board of Physical Therapy based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to upholding the high standards of her profession.

RACHELLE IOPA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Rachelle Iopa from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Iopa's knowledge, background, and proven leadership on the Board of Physical Therapy qualify her for reappointment to the Board of Physical Therapy as a physical therapist member. Your Committee notes that Dr. Iopa received her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2001 and is the President and founder of her physical therapy clinic, Kaimuki Care. Dr. Iopa specializes in shoulder and neck injuries, has experience in vestibular rehabilitation, and is skilled at treating patients with complicated disorders. Your Committee further finds that Dr. Iopa has been a member of the Board of Physical Therapy since July 2011 and was involved in implementing continuing competency requirements for licensed physical therapists and licensed physical therapy assistants in Hawaii. Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Iopa be reappointed to the Board of Physical Therapy based on her background, experience, and commitment to her profession.

MICHAEL TURNER

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Michael Turner from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and two individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Turner's background, experience, and prior leadership on the Board of Physical Therapy qualify him for appointment to the Board of Physical Therapy as a physical therapist member. Your Committee notes that Dr. Turner has been a practicing physical therapist for twenty-two years, received his Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2012, and is the owner, manager, and practicing primary therapist for his private physical therapy group practice, OrthoSport Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that Dr. Turner has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members by virtue of his previous experience as Chair of the Board of Physical Therapy and Vice President of the Colorado chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association. Your Committee therefore recommends that Dr. Turner be appointed to the Board of Physical Therapy based on his knowledge, experience, and commitment to serving the public.

JILL WAKABAYASHI

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Jill Wakabayashi from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Diamond Head Theatre, and three individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Wakabayashi's knowledge, experience, and commitment to public service qualify her for appointment to the Board of Physical Therapy as a physical therapist assistant member. Your Committee notes that Ms. Wakabayashi has been actively involved in the physical therapy profession since the 1990s and has been an Assistant Professor since 1999 and the Program Director since 2002 of the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Kapiolani Community College. Ms. Wakabayashi was also the first physical therapist assistant to represent Hawaii at the American Physical Therapy Association's annual meetings and the first to serve on the board of the Association's Hawaii chapter. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Wakabayashi has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of board members and recommends that Ms. Wakabayashi be appointed to the Board of Physical Therapy based on her background, experience, and enthusiastic commitment to her profession.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection 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 and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair