About Senator Bob Beverly

Bob Beverly (1925-2009)

Bob Beverly’s first foray into elective politics was a successful campaign for a seat on the Manhattan Beach City Council in 1958.  It was the beginning of a life-long career in both politics and the law.

Bob Beverly served on the Manhattan Beach City Council for nine years, including three terms as Mayor, before running for a seat in the California State Assembly in 1967.  He served in the Assembly for nine years, before being elected to the California State Senate.  In his 20 years in the Senate, he held a number of highly important positions, including Chairman of the Insurance Committee, Vice-Chair of the Appropriations Committee, and various offices in the Republican Caucus.  Probably his best-known legislation was the Song-Beverly Acts, a pioneering series of consumer-protection laws that included the California “lemon law” for defective automobiles.  He also was the author of the legislation permitting the formation of limited liability companies in California.

A life-long Republican, Bob Beverly spent his highly productive political career as a centrist, celebrated for his ability to negotiate successfully with legislators of both parties.  He was one of the best-liked personalities in the Legislature and counted Governors and Senators of both parties as close and trusted friends.  He retired from the State Senate in 1996, as the result of the term-limits law.