Administration outlines plan to split Business, Consumer Services and Housing into housing and consumer protection agencies

Undersecretary Melinda Grant of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing agency told the California State Senate subcommittee that the administration plans to divide the current agency into two separate entities: a California Housing and Homelessness Agency and a California Consumer Protection Agency.

Grant said the reorganization would be submitted to the Little Hoover Commission and then transmitted to the Legislature for a 60‑day review, and that the proposal aims to improve operational efficiency, maintain continuity of services and exercise fiscal prudence.

The proposal would move departments and programs now housed in BCSH into two specialized agencies. The consumer protection agency, as described by Pedro Galbao, would include the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and Appeals Board, the Department of Cannabis Control and Appeals Panel, the California Horse Racing Board, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and the Department of Real Estate. Galbao said the consumer protection agency would “enhance consumer efficiency to respond to rapidly evolving issues and industries and strengthen oversight.”

Grant and Galbao described the new housing and homelessness agency as focused on…