AB 1949: Department of Consumer Affairs.

It is the intent of the Legislature and the purpose of this chapter to promote and protect the interests of the people as consumers. The Legislature finds that vigorous representation and protection of consumer interests are essential to the fair and efficient functioning of a free enterprise market economy. The Legislature declares that government advances the interests of consumers by facilitating the proper functioning of the free enterprise market economy through (a)educating and informing the consumer to insure ensure rational consumer choice in the marketplace; (b)protecting the consumer from the sale of goods and services through the use of deceptive methods, acts, or practices which that are inimical to the general welfare of consumers; (c)fostering competition; and (d)promoting effective representation of consumers interests in all branches and levels of government.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a)Department means the Department of Consumer Affairs.

(b)Director means the Director of the Department of Consumer Affairs.

(c)Consumer means any an individual who seeks or acquires, by purchase or lease, any goods, services, money, or credit for personal, family, or household purposes.

(d)Person means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or other group, however organized.

(e)Individual does not include a partnership, corporation, association, or other group, however organized.

(f)Division means the Division of Consumer Services.

(g)Interests of consumers is limited to the cost, quality, purity, safety, durability, performance, effectiveness, dependability, availability, and adequacy of choice of goods and services offered or furnished to consumers and the adequacy and accuracy of information relating to consumer goods, services, money, or credit (including credit, including labeling, packaging, and advertising of contents, qualities, and terms of sales). sales.

There is in the department a Division of Consumer Services under the supervision and control of a chief. The chief shall be appointed by the Governor and shall serve at his or her pleasure. His or her compensation shall be fixed by the director in accordance with law.