New CA Consumer Protection Agency Head Announces Top Priorities

Rohit Chopra—the former CFPB Director under President Joe Biden and now Secretary of California’s new Business and Consumer Services Agency (BCSA)—issued a statement describing the BCSA’s intention to target alleged improper practices which purportedly raise costs for families and businesses in the state.

The BCSA formally began operating in July 2026 as a new state regulatory agency with a broad mandate covering numerous industries, products, and services.  The BCSA absorbed dozens of existing California agencies, boards, and departments including the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI); the Department of Real Estate (DRE); and the Department of Consumer Affairs.  California’s governor nominated Chopra as the first Secretary of the new agency.

Chopra’s statement about the BCSA’s priorities asserted that consumers are being harmed by higher prices, fees, and other costs, and that many federal regulators are failing to fulfil their duties to protect consumers and competition.  Among other things, the BCSA will seek to:

• Ensure that companies are upfront and honest about prices and product features;
• Give consumers meaningful choices about who they do business with;
• Address corrupt practices, including undisclosed kickbacks and manipulative schemes, that exploit the public; and
• Target individuals and companies which have purportedly evaded accountability under federal law due to alleged political connections and favoritism.

Chopra claims that the BCSA will focus its audit and inspection resources on entities that pose the greatest risks, as opposed to smaller firms that present less risk to consumers.  He also indicated that the agency will seek to develop new ways for consumers, businesses, and whistleblowers to file complaints and provide tips to the agency.