Sacramento (Special to ZennieReport.com) – California Senator Shannon Grove is revved up to announce that Senate Bill 712, also known as Leno’s Law, passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee yesterday. Sponsored by legendary comedian and automotive collector Jay Leno, this legislation would exempt more classic vehicles from outdated smog check requirements, preserving California’s rich automotive culture for future generations.
With the new amendments from the Assembly Transportation Committee, the bill will provide a gradual expansion of the biennial smog check exemption, by adding an additional 10 vehicle model years from 1976 to 1986 over a 5-year period. To qualify for the full exemption, the vehicles must also have a historical license plate and hold collector motor vehicle insurance. The program created by Leno’s Law is entirely optional.
“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 Shannon Grove. “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.”
Leno’s Law Bill Text
SB 712, as amended, Grove. Smog check:collector motor vehicles: exemption.
Existing law establishes a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (smog check) program that is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The smog check program requires inspection of motor vehicles upon initial registration, biennially upon renewal of registration, upon transfer of ownership, and in certain other circumstances. Existing law exempts specified vehicles from being inspected biennially upon renewal of registration, including, among others, all motor vehicles manufactured prior to the 1976 model year.
Existing law also exempts from specified portions of the smog testtest, both biennially and at transfer, a collector motor vehicle that is insured as a collector motor vehicle, is at least 35 model years old, complies with the exhaust emissions standards for that motor vehicle’s class and model year as prescribed by the department, and that passes a functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks.
This bill would delete the above partial smog check exemption for collector motor vehicles from existing law. Instead, the bill would fully exempt a collector motor vehicle from the smog check requirementrequirement, both biennially and at transfer if the vehicle is at least 35 model years old and proof is submitted that the motor vehicle is insured as a collector motor vehicle, as specified.old. The bill would be known, and may be cited as, Leno’s Law.
“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,” added Senator Grove.
“In California, change usually happens slowly, and this bill is real progress toward protecting classic cars as part of our history,” concluded Senator Grove.
The committee amendments for the bill will be in print later this week here.