STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3946

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NO. 733

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 733, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of:

Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission

G.M. No. 733

SYLVIA ROMM for a term to expire 06-30-2030,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Sylvia Romm for service on the Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus (LGBTQ+) Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Sylvia Romm from the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and eight individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Dr. Romm's background and dedication to serving the public qualify her to be appointed to the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission as a member from the City and County of Honolulu. Your Committee notes that Dr. Romm has been a pediatrician since 2013 and currently works as a pediatrician focusing on LGBTQ+ youth and affirming care at Spill the Tea Cafe, where she applies trauma-informed, family-centered approaches to support mental health, safety, and continuity of care and collaborates with community partners to reduce barriers to affirming care access in the State. Your Committee further notes that Dr. Romm earned a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in 2009, a Master of Public Health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and completed her pediatrics residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, in 2013. Your Committee finds that Dr. Romm has a thorough understanding of the role and responsibilities of commission members and her extensive experience in providing pediatric care to LGBTQ+ youth and expanding access to gender-affirming care will enhance the effectiveness of the Commission. Your Committee therefore recommends that Sylvia Romm be appointed to the Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission based on her knowledge, background, and dedication to public service.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services 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 Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair