Three Key Takeaways:
- Jay Leno is championing Senate Bill 712 to keep classic cars on the road by exempting older vehicles from California’s strict smog check laws.
- The bill, known as “Leno’s Law,” aims to protect classic cars produced before 1990, sparking a battle with environmental activists focused on reducing emissions.
- Leno’s advocacy has drawn attention from both the classic car community and California lawmakers, with the bill receiving some support despite opposition from environmental groups.
Jay Leno has spent his entire career cracking jokes.
Now he’s tackling his toughest challenge yet.
And Jay Leno went to war with California for one reason that left Hollywood stunned.
Jay Leno fights to keep classic cars on the road in California
Classic cars are a passion for comedian Jay Leno.
He has a collection of more than 300 classic cars and vintage motorcycles in a hangar at the Burbank Airport.
The former Tonight Show host launched a TV series, Jay Leno’s Garage, where he reviews classic and exotic cars after leaving late night.
Classic cars produce more emissions than modern vehicles, which has put them in the crosshairs of environmental regulators in California.
Vehicles in the state have to undergo a smog check every two years to be able to register the car with the state.
Older vehicles weren’t built with the state’s stringent emission requirements in mind.
California State Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) introduced Senate Bill 712 to expand the number of classic vehicles exempt from the state’s smog check.
Leno is throwing his weight behind the bill to keep more classic cars on the road in California.
Dubbed “Leno’s Law,” the bill would eliminate smog check requirements for classic cars produced before 1990.
Vehicles manufactured before 1976 are currently exempt under California law.
To qualify for the exemption, the vehicle would need to have collector car insurance, which typically has mileage limits and storage requirements.
California threatens to regulate classic cars off the road
Leno argued that California’s smog check requirements have become too strict compared to neighboring states.
“California’s smog check laws for classic cars need to be updated – they vary too much from state to state, and California’s rules don’t match up with neighboring ones,” Leno said. “Our classic cars are only driven for special occasions, weekend drives and car shows. I am excited to work with Senator Grove on SB 712 to make it simpler for us to preserve these pieces of history.”
Environmental activists are ready to oppose the bill in their crusade to rid California of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Obviously there’s people out there from the environmental groups that think that we’re trying to contaminate the air or not require smog checks, but that is just not true,” Grove said.
Grove noted that only a small number of cars would be affected in a state with more than 30 million vehicles on the road.
She said that Democrats have warmed up to the idea of supporting the bill despite the pushback from environmentalists.
Anaheim-based Corvette Mike sales manager Jeff Romm told ABC 7 that vehicles from the late 1970s and 80s are becoming more popular in the classic car community.
Getting those vehicles to pass a smog check in California is a challenge, since many out-of-state owners had their emission systems removed.
“The smog equipment just disappears, or it’s broken. It’s extremely hard to find, and very, very expensive,” Romm explained.
Romm couldn’t predict the fate of the legislation, but noted its celebrity supporter was a plus.
“Having someone like Jay Leno in your corner is a definite bonus,” Romm said.
Jay Leno could help California achieve a rare instance of sanity with vehicle emissions.
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