Revised Leno’s Law Clears Hurdle, Heads For Vote

Leno’s Law just punched through another checkpoint — and the momentum is building. Authored by Senators Dave Cortese and Shannon Grove, SB 1392 has officially cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee and is now headed to the California Senate floor for a full vote.

If you’re in California, now’s the time to make some noise. Contact your State Senator and urge them to vote YES on Leno’s Law. It takes less than a minute, and every message counts.

So what exactly does the bill do?

Leno’s Law, which failed to pass before, creates a carefully structured, phased-in smog-check exemption aimed specifically at legitimate collector vehicles — not daily drivers. The legislation would initially apply to vehicles built before the 1981 model year, with gradual expansion until it reaches pre-1986 vehicles by 2032. Just as important: the current pre-1976 exemption stays exactly as it is.

This isn’t a free pass for commuter cars. The bill is tailored for enthusiast-owned classics that spend their lives at shows, charity events, parades, cruises, and historical exhibitions — the kinds of vehicles that preserve automotive history and support an entire ecosystem of restoration shops, parts suppliers, and small businesses. Frankly, we wish the bill went further, to include vehicles built in the 1990s, perhaps with a 30-year rolling exemption, but it is a big improvement over current law.

The Appropriations Committee added an amendment reinforcing that intent. To qualify, owners would need to either provide proof of collector car insurance during registration or demonstrate through a future DMV process that the vehicle is driven fewer than 1,000 miles annually.

With Appropriations now behind it, Leno’s Law moves to the Senate floor, where votes can happen fast. That means enthusiasts, restorers, shop owners, and collectors need to stay engaged. Lawmakers need to hear that preserving California’s automotive heritage still matters — and that the people who keep these cars alive matter too.