Lawmakers Reject “Leno’s Law” — Classic Car Smog Exemption Fails, Owners Still Face Biennial Tests
California lawmakers have blocked Senate Bill 712 — “Leno’s Law” — leaving post‑1975 vehicles subject to existing biennial smog checks, denying the proposed rolling collector‑car exemption championed by Jay Leno and hobbyist groups amid environmental concerns and enforcement questions from regulators.
- What happened: The Assembly Appropriations Committee killed SB 712 and did not publicly explain the move; reporting by Laist.
- What the bill would have done: SB 712 would exempt vehicles 35 years or older insured as collector vehicles and roll the exemption forward each year — reporting from Car and Driver, Japanese Nostalgic Car, and Aftermarket Matters.
- Current rule unchanged: Vehicles from model year 1976 and newer still require smog checks at registration and every two years, per the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.
What SB 712 (Leno’s Law California) would have changed
SB 712, introduced by Sen. Shannon Grove, proposed a new pathway to exempt many older cars from California’s smog check program. Under the plan, cars 35 years or older could avoid biennial smog tests if insured as collector or classic vehicles. The exemption was designed to roll forward each year so newer model years would become eligible as they crossed the 35‑year threshold. Early versions contemplated starting coverage with vehicles built before 1990 and expanding from there — coverage summarized by Car and Driver and Japanese Nostalgic Car.
Supporters said the bill would reduce costs and paperwork for hobbyists, protect automotive history, and bolster a small economic niche tied to restoration and shows. Opponents warned it could undercut clean‑air protections and create enforcement challenges around collector insurance misuse — concerns discussed by Aftermarket Matters and Laist.
Why the bill failed — legislative process and politics
The Assembly Appropriations Committee placed SB 712 on its “suspense file” and ultimately did not advance it. That committee frequently uses the suspense file to quietly hold controversial or potentially costly measures instead of permitting broader floor debate. The committee issued no public explanation for blocking the bill, according to Laist.
Observers point to several likely factors:
- Environmental concerns: California’s strict air‑quality rules make lawmakers cautious about changes that could increase emissions (Laist).
- Cost and enforcement: Expanding an exemption could raise administrative costs and open loopholes for non‑collector vehicles (Aftermarket Matters).
- Political dynamics: High‑profile environmental changes often attract partisan scrutiny, and committees may shelve bills to avoid controversy during budget or election cycles (Laist).
Background — how California’s smog rules reached this point
California requires smog checks for most gasoline, hybrid, and alternative‑fuel vehicles from model year 1976 onward. Vehicles from model year 1975 and older remain exempt under current law, per the Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Historically, the state operated a rolling 30‑year exemption that allowed older cars to age into exemption; that policy ended in 2005. Since then, the fixed 1975 cutoff has remained. Supporters of SB 712 argued a rolling exemption better reflects collectors’ realities; critics emphasized California’s long‑standing public‑health rationale for robust testing (Car and Driver).
Voices on both sides
High‑profile support: Jay Leno publicly backed the measure, calling classic cars a cultural treasure and a small slice of the driving population that should be treated differently. Industry and hobby groups, including SEMA, argued an exemption would benefit restoration shops, parts suppliers, and local small businesses (Car and Driver; Aftermarket Matters).
“Classic cars are a cultural treasure,” supporters said, while opponents emphasized that even small emissions increases can harm air quality and health — concerns reflected in coverage by Laist.
What this means for classic car owners now
Because SB 712 was rejected, owners of cars from model year 1976 and newer must continue to follow current smog‑check rules, including initial checks at registration and biennial checks for most gasoline, hybrid, and alternative‑fuel vehicles (Bureau of Automotive Repair).
If you keep a restoration or show car insured as a collector, the bill’s rejection means no immediate relief from testing requirements unless a similar or revised bill is introduced and passed in the future (Laist).
Implications for The Imperial Valley, California
Economic impact: The Imperial Valley’s auto‑repair and parts sector serves daily drivers and hobbyists. A collector‑vehicle exemption could have reduced business for some local smog test stations while potentially boosting specialty restoration shops. With SB 712 rejected, smog‑check stations and general repair shops should expect business to continue at current levels (Bureau of Automotive Repair; Laist).
Public health and air quality: Imperial County faces air‑quality challenges tied to dust, agriculture, and cross‑border pollution. Maintaining current smog‑check rules preserves one regulatory tool aimed at limiting vehicle emissions and protecting local air quality (Laist).
Political consequences: The bill’s rejection underscores California’s preference for strict environmental rules and highlights tensions between supporting small businesses and preserving public health. Local officials in the Imperial Valley can expect input from both hobbyists and public‑health advocates (Laist).
Practical effects for residents
If you own a classic car in the Imperial Valley that is model year 1976 or newer, continue scheduling smog checks as part of registration. Keep documentation of repairs or maintenance that may affect emissions. Registering a car as a collector still requires following current state rules — SB 712 would have altered that, but its rejection means no immediate change (Bureau of Automotive Repair).
Cultural relevance
Car shows, cruises, and classic‑car clubs remain important to many California communities, including the Imperial Valley. While SB 712’s defeat removes a potential easing of rules favored by hobbyists, local events can continue under existing requirements. Organizers may press legislators for future reforms or targeted local measures that balance hobby needs with environmental safety (Car and Driver; Japanese Nostalgic Car).
Where to find more information and next steps
- California Bureau of Automotive Repair: official smog‑check rules and requirements
- Reporting on the bill’s rejection and background — Laist
- Coverage of the proposal and industry reaction — Car and Driver
- Analysis and bill details from hobbyist outlets — Japanese Nostalgic Car
- Aftermarket Matters coverage of industry support
Bottom line: SB 712 failed in committee, leaving California’s current smog‑check cutoff intact and maintaining biennial testing for post‑1975 vehicles. Classic‑car owners, small businesses, and public‑health advocates should monitor future legislative activity for any renewed efforts to change collector‑vehicle rules.
