California Dems Kill Bill Backed by Jay Leno That Would Have Exempted Classic Cars from Emissions Regulations
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A bill backed by famed car collector and TV personality Jay Leno aimed at easing smog regulations for classic cars has stalled in the California Legislature.
The proposal, Senate Bill 712 — nicknamed “Leno’s Law” — was halted by the Assembly Appropriations Committee, preventing it from moving forward, according to KABC-TV. Sponsored by Republican Sen. Shannon Grove, the bill sought to permanently exempt vehicles 35 years or older from California’s biennial smog check requirements.
According to a fact sheet from Grove’s office, these collector cars are “infrequently driven, carefully maintained, and make up only a fraction of cars on the road.” The bill also proposed exempting such vehicles from smog checks when transferred between owners, emphasizing their limited environmental impact and cultural value.
California did not pass Leno’s Law, meaning that classic cars still need to pass smog inspections.
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Supporters argued that California’s current regulations place an unnecessary burden on classic car owners. “Forcing these cars to meet modern emissions standards is government overreach,” the fact sheet said, pointing out that most states already exempt vehicles over 25 years old from similar requirements.
However, despite Leno’s endorsement and the niche nature of the vehicles affected, the bill failed to gain traction with the Democratic-controlled committee.
In an opinion piece for Auto Wire, columnist Steven Symes criticized the decision, blaming what he called California’s “regulatory hellscape.” He claimed the rejection reflects the state’s broader crackdown on gasoline-powered vehicles in favor of electric alternatives.
Leno’s Law Is Officially Dead, Which Means Classic Car Owners In California Will Continue to Suffer https://t.co/iN02oovok6
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“Everyone knows why this bill was killed,” Symes wrote. “California has declared war on the internal combustion engine — and that includes your classic ride.”
Symes went as far as to urge classic car enthusiasts to consider leaving the state. “If you love this hobby and live in California, it may be time to hit the road,” he warned, adding a note of political caution: “Just don’t bring the same policies with you.”
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