Lemon Law – California 1982

"After 31/2 years of bitter struggle, the lemon law finds sweet success."

There is going to be a big lemon-aid party in Lemon Grove. Rosemary Shahan is planning it to celebrate the passage of the 'lemon law' bill giving vehicle owners increased rights when it comes to cars that turn out to be lemons. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill Wednesday. 'At last! It took 3 years to get it through,' Shahan exulted this week. It was her encounter with [a car dealership] in Lemon Grove that started the push for the law. Since then Shahan has worked toward making the repair process easier for other consumers. Shahan worked closely with groups around the state to pass the lemon bill, SB 1787."

– Daily Californian, July 10, 1982

 

"Originator of 'Lemon Auto' Protest Sees it Bear Fruit"

"Rosemary Shahan has proved that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Three years ago, Shahan was a lone picketer, protesting at an auto dealership in Lemon Grove where she claimed she was getting a sour deal. Soon her anger took a new road. She turned in her sign and started lobbying for a 'lemon auto' bill, fighting her way from San Diego to Sacramento, where on Wednesday she watched Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. sign the bill into law·Assemblywoman Sally Tanner (D-El Monte), who sponsored the bill, flew Shahan to Sacramento on Wednesday. During her fight to get the 'lemon auto' bill passed, Shahan founded a nonprofit consumer group aimed at improving laws to protect car owners."

– Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1982