Rohit Chopra has officially been sworn in as secretary of California’s newly established Business and Consumer Services Agency (BCSA), following his appointment by Governor Gavin Newsom in May.
The BCSA includes the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), which oversees licensed debt collectors in the state, along with several other regulatory agencies. In addition to the DFPI, the agency oversees the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Department of Cannabis Control, Cannabis Control Appeals Panel, California Horse Racing Board, Department of Consumer Affairs, and the Department of Real Estate.
According to the agency, the BCSA is a cabinet-level agency created to strengthen California’s consumer protection efforts, support entrepreneurs and small businesses, and promote a fair and competitive economy.
The agency was established through Governor Newsom’s government reorganization initiative last year. Its stated mission is to oversee consumer and business protections while supporting economic growth and accountability.
According to the BCSA, the agency plans to launch new initiatives, enforcement activities, and programs over the coming year focused on:
- Protecting consumers while supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- Addressing anticompetitive, fraudulent, and other unlawful business practices.
- Promoting the responsible implementation of emerging technologies for Californians.
The creation of the BCSA does not change the statutory authority of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. The DFPI will continue to supervise, investigate, license, regulate, and enforce the California Consumer Financial Protection Law and other applicable state laws.
As secretary of the BCSA, Chopra will provide executive leadership, strategic oversight, and policy coordination across the departments within the agency while advising the governor on consumer protection matters.
The BCSA also assumes responsibility for several consumer protection initiatives previously emphasized by the Newsom administration, including efforts related to fees charged to consumers, online privacy, and data protection. According to the agency, it also intends to strengthen coordination among departments and continue updating California’s consumer protection framework.
One of Chopra’s first public actions as BCSA secretary was to submit comments to the Federal Trade Commission opposing a request by Elon Musk and X for relief from a prior law enforcement order related to data privacy and security compliance. According to a BCSA news release, the agency stated that granting the request could affect enforcement of existing privacy and data security obligations.
Before joining the BCSA, Chopra served as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2021 to 2025. He also previously served as a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission.
In December 2025, Chopra was named senior advisor to the Consumer Protection and Affordability Working Group, the policy arm of the Democratic Attorneys General Association.
Author: Jennifer Evancic
Jennifer.Evancic@ResourceManagement.com
Jennifer Evancic is a third-party auditor valued by creditors and large organizations for her knowledge in call monitoring within the collections industry. With meticulous attention to detail and a firm grasp of regulatory requirements, she ensures compliance with clients’ criteria and state and federal regulations.
Jennifer audits collections calls, ensuring they meet client-specific criteria and comply with regulations, providing valuable insights and maintaining industry standards.
Beyond her auditing responsibilities, Jennifer takes the lead in organizing and facilitating monthly call calibrations. These sessions serve as a collaborative forum where clients and their vendors come together to discuss call monitoring results and address any findings or areas for improvement. Jennifer’s guidance fosters open communication and ensures alignment between clients and vendors, driving continuous improvement in collections practices.
Jennifer stays up-to-date with compliance and industry best practices by participating regularly in peer meetings, regulatory updates and industry webinars. This keeps her informed about emerging issues and ensures she remains a knowledgeable leader in collections compliance.
