STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1986

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 502

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 502, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Attorney General, Department of the Attorney General

 

G.M. No. 502

ANNE LOPEZ,

for a term to expire at noon on 12-07-2026,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Anne Lopez for service on the Department of the Attorney General.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Anne Lopez from the Governor, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Public Safety, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Education, Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Transportation, Department of Health, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Human Resources Development, Campaign Spending Commission, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Parents and Children Together, Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kaua‘i Region, and one hundred and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Anne Lopez from seven individuals.  Your Committee received comments on the nomination for the appointment of Anne Lopez from the Board of Directors of the Hawaii State Bar Association and Akamai Cannabis Consulting.

 

     Ms. Lopez received a Bachelor of Science degree from San Jose State University.  She subsequently received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law where she was the Co-Editor in Chief for the University of Hawai‘i Law Review.  Ms. Lopez has served as Acting Attorney General since December 2022.  Ms. Lopez previously held numerous roles with the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, including Vice President and General Counsel, where she was responsible for leading the in-house legal department, including the Corporate Director of Risk Management, staff attorneys, and legal support staff in providing legal counsel and health care risk management services for Hawai‘i's state-owned health care system and its affiliates.  Ms. Lopez was also responsible for working to facilitate the passage of health care legislation and ensured system-wide compliance with federal and state laws.  Ms. Lopez previously served as a Special Assistant to Attorney General David Louie.  Prior to that, for over ten years, she worked in private practice and was a litigation and transaction associate at the law firm of Chun, Kerr, Dodd, Beaman and Wong and a litigation associate at the law firm of Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda.

 

     Testimony in support of Ms. Lopez's nomination commend her depth of experience, leadership abilities, and legal background.  Even in her brief time as Acting Attorney General, she has already shown her ability to delve deeply into legal matters and understand the nuanced implications her decisions will have on government operations.  She has also earned a reputation of being a very knowledgeable, highly competent, and effective leader.  Many testifiers noted that her strong work ethic, integrity, and exceptional ability to navigate complex legal issues and make sound decisions will continue to be great assets to the Department of the Attorney General.

 

     Your Committee finds that, based on the testimony submitted on her behalf, Anne Lopez has the experience, temperament, and other competencies to be the Attorney General of the State of Hawaii, and in that capacity, she will continue to be a strong advocate on behalf of the interests of the State and its residents.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary 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 Judiciary,

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair