California Legislature—2013–14 Regular Session

Assembly Bill No. 1013

Introduced by Assembly Member Gomez

February 22, 2013

An act to amend Section 320 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to consumer affairs.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 1013, as introduced, Gomez. Consumer affairs.

Under existing law, the Department of Consumer Affairs is comprised of boards that license and regulate various professions and vocations. Existing law provides that these boards are established to ensure that private businesses and professions are regulated to protect the people of this state. Existing law authorizes the director or the Attorney General to intervene in a matter or proceeding pending before any state commission, regulatory agency, department, or agency, or any court, which the director finds may affect substantially the interests of consumers within California, in any appropriate manner to represent the interests of consumers. Existing law also authorizes the director, or any officer or employee designated by the director for that purpose, or the Attorney General to thereafter present evidence and argument to the agency, court of department, as specified, for the effective protection of the interests of consumers.

This bill would additionally authorize any employee designated by the Attorney General to make those presentations.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 320 of the Business and Professions Code
is amended to read:

320.  

Whenever there is pending before any state commission,
regulatory agency, department, or other state agency, or any state
or federal court or agency, any matter or proceeding which the
director finds may affect substantially the interests of consumers
within California, the director, or the Attorney General, may
intervene in such matter or proceeding in any appropriate manner
to represent the interests of consumers. The director, or any officer
or employee designated by the director for that purpose, or the
Attorney General begin insert , or any employee designated by the Attorney
General for that purpose end insert , may thereafter present to begin delete such end delete begin insert that end insert
agency, court, or department, in conformity with the rules of
practice and procedure thereof, begin delete such end delete begin insert the end insert evidence and argument
as he begin insert or she end insert shall determine to be necessary, for the effective
protection of the interests of consumers.