{{short description|American judge and politician (born 1957)}} {{Infobox officeholder | native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|zh-hans|周本立}}}} | image = Chau headshot.jpg | alt = | office = Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court | appointer = Gavin Newsom | term_start = December 11, 2021 | term_end = | predecessor = | successor = | state_assembly1 = California | district1 = 49th | term_start1 = December 3, 2012 | term_end1 = December 10, 2021 | predecessor1 = Mike Eng | successor1 = Mike Fong | birth_name = Edwin Pun Chau | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|09|17}} | birth_place = British Hong Kong | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic | children = | alma_mater = University of Southern California (BA, BS)<br>Southwestern University School of Law (JD) | profession = | spouse = Candice<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/11/06/ca/state/vote/chau_e/bio.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191120222701/http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/11/06/ca/state/vote/chau_e/bio.html|archive-date = 2019-11-20|title = Full Biography for Edwin "Ed" Chau}}</ref> | signature = | website = }}
'''Edwin Pun Chau'''{{efn|{{lang-zh|c=周本立|j={{tone superscript|Zau1 Bun2 Lap6}}}}}} (born September 17, 1957) is an American jurist and politician who served in the California State Assembly as a Democrat representing the 49th state assembly District from 2012 to 2021. On November 29, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Chau to be a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.<ref name="judge appointment">{{cite web |title=Governor Newsom Announces Judicial Appointments 11.29.21 |url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/11/29/governor-newsom-announces-judicial-appointments-11-29-21/ |website=Office of Governor Gavin Newsom |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>
== Early life and education == Chau was born in Hong Kong in 1957 and grew up in Los Angeles. He holds a B.A. in sociology and a B.S. in computer science from the University of Southern California. He also received a J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://a49.asmdc.org/biography-0|title=Biography|work=Assemblymember Ed Chau, District 49|publisher=California State Assembly|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030215103/https://a49.asmdc.org/biography-0|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== California State Assembly == In June, 2021, Chau was appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly to serve as the Assistant Majority Leader. Prior to the appointment, Chau served as the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection from 2016 to 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Speaker Rendon Announces Leadership Team, Committee Chairs {{!}} Official Website - Speaker Anthony Rendon Representing the 63rd California Assembly District|url=https://speaker.asmdc.org/press-releases/20161226-speaker-rendon-announces-leadership-team-committee-chairs|access-date=2021-10-18|website=speaker.asmdc.org}}</ref> Previously, he was the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development.<ref>{{Cite web|title=California Assembly announces committee chairs|url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article4258642.html|url-status=live|website=The Sacramento Bee|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213120328/http://www.sacbee.com:80/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article4258642.html |archive-date=2014-12-13 }}</ref> Chau also served as a member of the following standing committees: Appropriations, Judiciary, Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy, Natural Resources, and Privacy and Consumer Protection.
In addition, Chau was the Chairman of the Assembly Select Committee on Emerging Technologies and Innovation. As Chair, he had convened informational hearings on the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, Facial Recognition Technology, 5-G Technology, and Mobile Applications, among others. He was also a member of the following Select Committees: Asia/California Trade and Investment Promotion, California's Clean Energy Economy, Cybersecurity, and Regional Transportation Solutions.
In 2018, Chau introduced and passed the landmark privacy law, alongside Senator Robert Hertzberg, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (CCPA), giving California consumers significant control over the collection, use and processing of their personal information. The law, considered the most comprehensive privacy law in the nation, has frequently been compared to the European Union landmark privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-12-30|title=California's groundbreaking privacy law takes effect in January. What does it do?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/30/california-consumer-privacy-act-what-does-it-do|access-date=2021-10-18|author-first1=Kari|author-last1=Paul|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>
In addition, Chau passed a law that would require data brokers to publicly register with the Attorney General's office,<ref>{{Cite web|title=California to Create Data Broker Registry, Fines for Failure|url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/privacy-and-data-security/california-to-create-data-broker-registry-fines-for-failure|access-date=2021-10-18|website=news.bloomberglaw.com|language=en}}</ref> providing Californians transparent information about who is collecting their personal information. Other laws passed by Chau include prohibiting the sale, purchase and use of hacked data;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-1391 Unlawfully obtained data.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1391|access-date=2021-10-18|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> making it a crime to assist in soliciting another to commit hacking;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-195 Unauthorized access to computer systems.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB195|access-date=2021-10-18|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> requiring credit reporting agencies to fix vulnerabilities regarding data breaches;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-1859 Customer records.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1859|access-date=2021-10-18|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> protecting individuals' privacy from devices like drones;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-2306 Constructive invasion of privacy: liability.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB2306|access-date=2021-10-18|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2014-08-20|title=Editorial: How to protect celebrities from paparazzi drones|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-drones-paparazzi-20140820-story.html|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> authorizing the California Military Department to conduct cybersecurity assessments in schools;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-1352 Independent information security assessments: Military Department: local educational agencies.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1352|access-date=2021-10-18|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-13|title=Calif. Military Dept. to Conduct School Security Assessments|url=https://www.govtech.com/security/calif-military-dept-to-conduct-school-security-assessments|access-date=2021-10-18|website=GovTech|language=en}}</ref> requiring disclosure of a data breach to California residents when the encryption key is lost;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-2828 Personal information: privacy: breach.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB2828|access-date=2021-10-18|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> and authorizing local governments to provide broadband services, while adhering to “net neutrality rules”.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-1999 Local government: public broadband services.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1999|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> Chau also introduced legislation to safeguard personal data collected by digital health trackers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-2167 Information privacy: digital health feedback systems.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB2167|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-384 Information privacy: digital health feedback systems.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB384|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-2280 Information privacy: personal health record information: software or hardware.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB2280|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-1252 Information privacy: digital health feedback systems.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB1252|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> as well as address biases in the use of automated artificial intelligence systems.
Moreover, Chau passed laws to help curb climate change;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-739 State vehicle fleet: purchases.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB739|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-39 California-China Climate Institute.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB39|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> protect water resources through groundwater cleanup funding;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-1043 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006: groundwater contamination.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB1043|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> combat wild fires through forest management;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-697 Forest resources: national forest lands: Good Neighbor Authority Fund: ecological restoration and fire resiliency projects.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB697|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> protect seniors against elder abuse;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-381 Estates and trusts: undue influence and elder abuse.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB381|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> require Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to receive training on how to interact with dementia patients and their caregivers;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-453 Emergency medical services: training.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB453|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> mandate advance notice before increasing life insurance costs on consumers;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-2634 Life insurance.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB2634|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> ensure that students in California receive instruction on the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the contributions made by Chinese Americans in establishing the Transcontinental Railroad;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-2864 Pupil instruction: Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882: Chinese Americans' contributions to establishment of transcontinental railroad.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB2864|access-date=2021-10-20|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> protect students by removing from classrooms teachers charged with a sex offense;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-872 School employees: employment: sex offenses.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB872|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> safeguard children from cyber sexual bullying;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-2536 Pupil discipline and safety: cyber sexual bullying.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB2536|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> prohibit the online marketing of cannabis products or services to minors;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-3067 Internet: marketing: minors: cannabis.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB3067|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> and legally protect Good Samaritans that break into hot vehicles to rescue children.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-2717 Motor vehicles: unattended children: liability.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB2717|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-01|title=Hot Car Rescues: New CA Law Protects Good Samaritans|url=https://patch.com/california/walnutcreek/hot-car-rescues-new-ca-law-protects-good-samaritans|access-date=2021-10-19|website=Walnut Creek, CA Patch|language=en}}</ref>
Chau also passed a number of legislative measures to address the housing crisis;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-984 The California Housing Finance Agency.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB984|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-569 Real property: divided lands.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140AB569|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-744 Planning and zoning: density bonuses.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB744|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> assist with language access in hospital settings and the language accessibility needs of voters;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-389 Hospitals: language assistance services.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB389|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-1443 Voters: language accessibility.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB1443|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> and to help small business owners facing frivolous lawsuits.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Text - AB-1583 Proposition 65: enforcement: certificate of merit: factual basis.|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1583|access-date=2021-10-19|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref>
==Electoral history== ===2012 California State Assembly === {{see also|California State Assembly elections, 2012}} {{Election box open primary begin no change | title = California's 49th State Assembly district election, 2012 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Matthew Lin | votes = 20,549 | percentage = 52.2 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau | votes = 13,746 | percentage = 34.9 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Mitchell Ing | votes = 5,074 | percentage = 12.9 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 39,369 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau | votes = 64,791 | percentage = 56.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Matthew Lin | votes = 50,153 | percentage = 43.6 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 114,944 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = California Democratic Party }} {{Election box end}}
===2014 California State Assembly === {{see also|California State Assembly elections, 2014}} {{Election box open primary begin no change | title = California's 49th State Assembly district election, 2014 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau (incumbent) | votes = 17,540 | percentage = 60.2 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Esthela Torres Siegrist | votes = 11,576 | percentage = 39.8 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 29,116 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau (incumbent) | votes = 33,030 | percentage = 61.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Esthela Torres Siegrist | votes = 20,678 | percentage = 38.5 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 53,708 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = California Democratic Party }} {{Election box end}}
===2016 California State Assembly=== {{see also|California State Assembly election, 2016}} {{Election box open primary begin no change | title = California's 49th State Assembly district election, 2016 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau (incumbent) | votes = 44,922 | percentage = 99.5 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Peter Amundson, Jr. (write-in) | votes = 188 | percentage = 0.4 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Libertarian Party of California | candidate = Matthew "Boomer" Shannon (write-in) | votes = 25 | percentage = 0.1 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 45,135 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau (incumbent) | votes = 82,964 | percentage = 70.0 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Peter Amundson, Jr. (write-in) | votes = 35,533 | percentage = 30.0 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 118,497 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = California Democratic Party }} {{Election box end}}
===2018 California State Assembly=== {{see also|California State Assembly election, 2018}} {{Election box open primary begin no change | title = California's 49th State Assembly district election, 2018 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau (incumbent) | votes = 35365 | percentage = 69.0 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Burton Brink | votes = 15910 | percentage = 31.0 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 46349 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau (incumbent) | votes = 75421 | percentage = 71.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Burton Brink | votes = 30506 | percentage = 28.8 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 105927 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = California Democratic Party }} {{Election box end}}
===2020 California State Assembly===
{{Election box open primary begin no change | title = 2020 California's 49th State Assembly district election }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau (incumbent) | votes = 36985 | percentage = 52.0% }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Burton Brink | votes = 17531 | percentage = 24.6% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Bryan Mesinas Pérez | votes = 9006 | percentage = 12.7% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Priscilla Silva | votes = 7628 | percentage = 10.7% }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 71150 | percentage = 100% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Democratic Party | candidate = Ed Chau (incumbent) | votes =80,751 | percentage =68.1 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = California Republican Party | candidate = Burton Brink | votes =37,867 | percentage =31.9 }} {{Election box total no change | votes =118,618 | percentage = 100.0 }} {{Election box hold with party link no change | winner = California Democratic Party }} {{Election box end}}
==See also== *List of Asian American jurists
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/13314 Join California Edwin Chau]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chau, Ed}} Category:Democratic Party members of the California State Assembly Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:Asian-American state legislators in California Category:People from Arcadia, California Category:Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences alumni Category:USC Viterbi School of Engineering alumni Category:Southwestern Law School alumni Category:21st-century members of the California State Legislature Category:American politicians of Chinese descent