SSCR1625

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1625

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 801, 802

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred Governor's Message Nos. 801 and 802, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Hawai'i Paroling Authority

G.M. No. 801

ANNELLE AMARAL,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019; and

G.M. No. 802

MICHAEL A. TOWN,

for a term to expire 6-30-2019,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee has reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by the nominees and finds Annelle Amaral and Michael A. Town to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

ANNELLE AMARAL

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Annelle Amaral from the Department of Public Safety; Sex Abuse Treatment Center; Ho‘omana Pono, LLC; Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; and ten individuals.

Ms. Amaral currently serves as an active and enthusiastic member of the Hawaii Paroling Authority. Her professional career spans over four decades and includes substantial public service and non-profit experience, including serving as a Motorpatrol Officer with the Police Department of the City and County of Honolulu, Deputy Administrator of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State Representative for eight years, Coordinator at Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Director of Public Affairs at Planned Parenthood of Hawaii. In recognition of Ms. Amaral's work, she has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Patsy T. Mink PAC Award and being named as the Legislator of the Year by the Hawaii Psychological Association. She has spent many years working as a facilitator of community meetings, discussions, conferences, and briefings. Ms. Amaral is a graduate of the University of Dayton, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

Your Committee finds that Ms. Amaral's experience as a member of the Hawaii Paroling Authority, along with insights garnered from her extensive experience and her commitment to public service, provide her with the knowledge and expertise to be reappointed as a member of the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

MICHAEL A. TOWN

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Michael A. Town from the Department of Public Safety; Ho‘omana Pono, LLC; and twelve individuals.

Judge Town (retired) has served as a member of the Hawaii Paroling Authority since 2011 and has proven to be a hardworking and contributing member. He has a notable background, having more than forty-five years of legal experience. Judge Town has served as a Circuit Court Judge and District Family Court Judge in Hawaii, Supervising Attorney and Director of Litigation at Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and Law Clerk to Associate Justice Bernard H. Levinson. He is currently a mediator and arbitrator and has authored numerous articles pertaining to the Judiciary. Judge Town has been active in several organizations and committees, including the Restorative Justice Committee of the Hawaii State Judiciary, Hawaii Justice Foundation, and Positive Coaching Alliance Hawaii. Judge Town received a Master of Laws degree with an emphasis on constitutional law from Yale Law School; a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Latin American studies from Stanford University.

Your Committee finds that Judge Town's experience as a member of the Hawaii Paroling Authority and extensive legal background will continue to provide a valuable perspective to the Hawaii Paroling Authority.

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

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair