As the new chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hannah-Beth Jackson will play a big role in judicial branch issues. The Santa Barbara Democrat is also among the most vocal advocates of pro-consumer privacy legislation. She was elected to the Senate in 2012 following a legal career in public and private practice and serving in the Assembly between 1998 and 2004.

Q: What are the big issues you see coming before the Senate Judiciary Committee this year?