STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1317

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 516

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 516, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Language Access Advisory Council

 

G.M. No. 516

APHIRAK BAMRUNGRUAN,

for a term to expire 06-30-2020,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee has reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee and finds Aphirak Bamrungruan to possess the requisite qualifications to be nominated to the Language Access Advisory Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination of Aphirak Bamrungruan from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Office of Language Access, and twelve individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Bamrungruan is presently the Project Manager for the Limited English Proficient Project within the Department of Human Services and has the practical and administrative experience of managing state department-wide efforts to improve language access.  Your Committee further finds that Mr. Bamrungruan has worked with state and federal agencies on language compliance, and is currently a strong advisor to the Office of Language Access.  In his personal statement, Mr. Bamrungruan indicated that he hopes to provide insight so that all entities have a better understanding of language access law in addition to meaningful access to services, programs, and activities for individuals with limited English proficiency.  Mr. Bamrungruan is originally from Thailand and learned English as a second language.  In addition to many other accomplishments, Mr. Bamrungruan has prior experience as a licensed attorney practicing immigration and family law, which is valuable to the Language Access Advisory Council because it provided Mr. Bamrungruan with an astute understanding of Hawaii's language access law and its intersection with relevant federal law.  Your Committee finds that Mr. Bamrungruan's personal background, as well as his legal expertise and experience with increasing language access for limited English proficient individuals by implementing large-scale programs and policies, demonstrates his ability to advance the goals of the Office of Language Access.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair