From the SEMA Washington, D.C., office
Leno's Law, California's SEMA-backed SB 1392, has passed the California Assembly Appropriations Committee unanimously. The bill, which is authored by Sens. Dave Cortese and Shannon Grove, and sponsored by SEMA Hall of Famer Jay Leno, now goes to the full Assembly for a vote. If approved, it moves that much closer to the governor's desk.
Inspired by ongoing conversations about protecting California's automotive heritage, the bill has now cleared the committee hurdle where it stalled last year and is headed to the Assembly Floor. While there is still work ahead, this progress represents a hard-earned win for California car culture and the community fighting to preserve it.
🎞️ VIDEO: Watch Chris Jacobs and Carmen Vera's message on Leno's Law below:
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.
Ahead of the pivotal vote, Leno's Law supporters gathered at the California State Capitol to urge lawmakers to keep the bill moving. The rally featured remarks from Sens. Cortese and Grove, Carmen Vera of Pasadena Classic Car, Victor Muñoz of SEMA, Francine Mata of the Sacramento Lowrider Commission and Leno, who joined by phone. The rally brought together members of California's collector-car community, with more than 40 classic and collectible vehicles on display. Enthusiasts, small businesses, lowriders, historians, collectors, restorers and community advocates have helped push Leno's Law farther than ever before.
For more information on how to support Leno's Law and stay updated on its progress, contact SEMA Senior Manager for State Government Affairs Victor Muñoz at victorm@sema.org.
