San Diego Supervisors approve new consumer enforcement unit, county counsel to lead

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on March 24 to direct County Counsel to establish a Consumer Fairness and Public Protection unit aimed at bringing civil enforcement and local remedies for consumers harmed by deceptive business practices, fraud, environmental dumping and other unlawful conduct.

Chair Tara Lawson Reamer, who sponsored the proposal, told the board the unit would “protect people, stabilize finances, protect health, and ensure that honest businesses are not undercut by those who break the law.” She said the county has restricted consumer-settlement funds available and cited SB 461 (2021) as the state authorization enabling county counsel offices to bring civil enforcement locally.

Why it matters: Proponents — including legal-aid organizations, labor unions and environmental groups — said county-level civil enforcement can fill gaps left by stretched state and federal agencies, and can…