‘Leno’s Law’ Passes First Hurdle in California Legislature

Jay Leno is one step closer to becoming a law in California. A bill named after the former Tonight Show host passed by state’s Senate Transportation Committee with bipartisan support this week.

Named in recognition of the celebrity motorhead who co-authored the bill, “Leno’s Law” would change how classic car owners navigate anti-smog laws in the state of California.  From here, the bill will be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The California Air Resources Board currently requires all vehicles built in 1975 or later to undergo a smog check every two years. Under the terms of Leno’s Law, smog checks would no longer be required for vehicles 35 years or older if they are insured as a collector car, thereby expanding the exemption threshold from 1975 to 1990. 

The Senate Transportation Committee’s approval came just hours after Leno participated in a rally outside the California State Capitol on Tuesday, leading a classic car parade through Sacramento.

“I know there’s nothing more annoying than Hollywod people involved in politics, so I’ll just try to keep that to a minimum,” Leno told a crowd of supporters. “But this one’s important to me, because I’m an enthusiast.”

Leno later expressed his appreciation for the Senate Transportation Committee upon the bill’s passage.

“California helped invent car culture—from lowriders in East L.A. to muscle cars in the Central Valley. These cars tell the story,” Leno said in a statement after the bill’s passage. “SB 712 is about keeping that story alive. These vehicles are driven occasionally, not daily, and it just makes sense to treat them differently. I’m proud to be working with Senator Grove, and I thank the committee for recognizing the importance of preserving our automotive legacy.”

The bill is co-authored by Republican state Senator Shannon Grove, who first announced the proposed legislation last month.

Leno’s Law is opposed by the American Lung Association. “It’s a real jailbreak for our air quality problems in California,” American Lung Association senior director Will Barrett told CA Capitol reporter Eytan Wallace.