Leno’s Law to Removes Smog Tests for Classic Cars Passes Assembly Committee

A bill to remove all smog check requirements for cars 35 years and older was passed unanimously by the Assembly Transportation Committee this week, with the next hurdle being the challenging Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Senate Bill 712, authored by Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), would specifically exempt a collector motor vehicle from the smog check requirement if the vehicle is at least 35 model years old. However, concern over the environmental impact of SB 712, also known as “Leno’s Law,” brought forth several amendments to the bill. These included mandating classic car insurance instead of just insuring the vehicle as a collector motor vehicle and requiring historical license plates.

In addition to Grove’s backing, SB 712 received celebrity support from former talk show host and classic car enthusiast Jay Leno, giving the bill more clout. Both are pushing for the bill because current smog check requirements hinder classic car owners, and the strict regulations force many owners to look outside of California to more classic car friendly states. Currently there is only a partial smog check ban in place for cars made before 1976, which limits how much Californians can drive some cars. According to the bill, there is a severe shortage of smog test equipment that can test older vehicles as well, with owners of cars built before year 2000 struggling to find appropriate shops. In addition, the aftermarket parts industry has struggled in California in recent years, with much of their business going toward making and supplying parts for older cars.

Wanting to stop classic car owners from leaving the state, keep California’s reputation as a classic car state, and help keep the huge aftermarket parts industry worth billions, Grove brought SB 712 to the Senate earlier this year. While the bill sailed through Senate Committees with minimal opposition, concerns over the bill in the Senate resulted in several amendments, including the addition of mandating classic car insurance and historical license plates. This action erased most opposition to SB 712, passing last month.

Moving On Up

There was some concern heading into the Assembly that the amendments still didn’t go far enough, and that more would have to be tacked on over environmental concerns. However, those concerns were assuaged this week when the Assembly Transportation Committee voted 14-0 to pass the bill, signaling that the Senate amendments were enough.

“For over two decades, classic car enthusiasts have worked alongside legislators to try and expand the number of classic vehicles eligible for a full smog check exemption, but every effort has stalled before making it through the legislature,” said Senator Grove earlier this week. “If Leno’s Law is passed and signed, even if it is not exactly what we originally wanted, it provides 10 additional vehicle model years and is a step towards protecting classic cars as a part of our history.

“I will continue to amplify the voices of collectors who simply want to enjoy restoring and driving their vehicles on special occasions, ensuring it’s a reasonable process to preserve California’s iconic automotive heritage. In California, change usually happens slowly, and this bill is real progress toward protecting classic cars as part of our history.”

SB 712 only has a few major votes left this year, with the Assembly Appropriations Committee vote and the full Assembly vote the only ones left needed to pass before reaching the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom.