DCA reorganization plan, telework policy and new equity officer highlighted in update to fiduciaries advisory committee

Shelley Jones of Board and Bureau Relations provided the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) executive-office update at the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau advisory committee meeting in June 2025.

Jones summarized Governor Newsom's proposed reorganization included in the 2025–26 state budget that would split the current Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two agencies: a California Housing and Homelessness Agency (CHHA) and a Business and Consumer Services Agency. Jones said DCA and eight departments would be within the new Business and Consumer Services Agency if the plan takes effect.

She said the plan was delivered to the Little Hoover Commission on April 4 and that the commission released a report recommending the legislature allow the governor's reorganization plan to take effect. The legislature has until July 4 to consider the plan; unless rejected, the plan would take effect on July 5 and the new Business and Consumer Services Agency is currently written to become operative on July 1, 2026.

Jones also reviewed a March 3 executive order directing state agencies to increase the minimum in-office days for employees from two to four days per week beginning July 1, and she noted DCA is working with programs to identify additional space and to implement guidance from CalHR on case-by-case exceptions. Finally, Jones announced Levi Hull began serving April 28 as DCA’s compliance and equity officer, a role she said will lead department-wide quality-improvement and equity efforts.

Committee members asked no substantive questions on the update; the committee did not take formal action on the items Jones presented.