From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
From left, future SEMA Hall of Famer Jay Leno, Rep. Shannon Grove and SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola stand with a classic Pontiac Trans Am outside the United States Capitol in support of collector vehicle legislation.
California's "Leno's Law" has cleared another key checkpoint. SEMA-backed SB 1392, authored by Sens. Dave Cortese and Shannon Grove, and sponsored by future SEMA Hall of Famer Jay Leno, passed the California Assembly Transportation Committee with bipartisan support, 13-0. The bill now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
Not finished yet, California! Tell the Appropriations Committee to vote YES on Leno's Law (it only takes a minute!)
Leno's Law creates a narrow collector-vehicle smog-check exemption for certain older vehicles, phased in from pre-'81 models to pre-'86 models by 2032. To qualify, owners must either provide proof of collector car insurance or show, through a future DMV process, that the vehicle is driven fewer than 1,000 miles per year. The bill does not change California's existing pre-'76 exemption.
This year's effort continues to gain momentum because enthusiasts, small businesses, lowriders, historians collectors, restorers and community advocates have stayed engaged at every step, helping show lawmakers that Leno's Law is about preserving the vehicles, businesses and culture that make California the center of American car culture.
SEMA will continue working to keep the bill moving, but support from the automotive community remains critical as the bill enters its next stage.
🎞️ VIDEO: Watch Chris Jacobs and Carmen Vera's message on Leno's Law below:
For more information on how to support Leno's Law and to stay updated on its progress, please contact Victor Muñoz, SEMA's senior manager for state government affairs, at victorm@sema.org. Sign up for SEMA Action updates at semahq.org.
Famed TV host, automotive enthusiast and future SEMA Hall of Famer Jay Leno joins California State Senator Shannon Grove for a drive highlighting support for California's Leno's Law, SB 1392.
