The Original Proposal
Jay Leno, a renowned comedian and car enthusiast, had proposed a bill that would exempt vehicles 35 years or older from California’s smog check requirements. This measure was expected to benefit classic car owners, hot rodders, and car clubs across the state.
“California helped invent car culture, from lowriders in East L.A. to muscle cars in the Central Valley,” said Jay Leno. “These cars tell our story. SB 712 is about keeping that story alive. These vehicles are only driven occasionally, not daily, and it makes sense to treat them differently.”
Concerns from Health Groups
However, health groups expressed concerns that the bill would increase air pollution by allowing older, smoky vehicles to avoid smog checks. These vehicles, which are not regularly used for transportation purposes, would emit more pollution, which could exacerbate respiratory issues such as asthma.
- According to the American Lung Association, 1980s vehicles emit more than 100 times the tailpipe pollution of a new vehicle.
- State Sen. Aisha Wahab, a Fremont Democrat, expressed concerns about the bill, stating that “clean air is a necessity. Collecting cars is a hobby.”
Amendments to Limit Eligibility
To address these concerns, the state Senate Appropriations Committee added two key amendments to the bill. The first amendment requires that vehicles 35 years or older seeking the smog check exemption must have a historical vehicle license plate, which costs $25 in addition to regular registration fees. This plate is issued to vehicles that are “may only be driven in historical exhibitions, parades or historic vehicle club activities.”
- The second amendment requires that the owners must have collector’s car insurance, which is usually cheaper than regular insurance. However, this insurance often sets limits on how many miles a year the vehicle can be driven, prohibits daily driving, and requires the vehicle to be kept in a locked garage.
Opposition from Car Collectors
Mike Frankovich, a car collector from Pasadena, expressed disappointment with the amendments. He argued that the amendments make it even more difficult for legitimate collector vehicles to qualify for the exemption. “Any progress is still good. But I’d prefer the amendments didn’t get added,” said Frankovich. “The majority of legislators in California don’t know how hard it is to get a smog check for collector cars.”
Opposition from Clean Air Advocates
Will Barrett, national senior director for clean air advocacy at the American Lung Association, also expressed opposition to the bill. He stated that the reality is that older vehicles emit a lot more pollution than other cars and that giving them a blanket exemption would be problematic. “The reality is these vehicles emit a lot more pollution than other cars,” said Barrett. “Giving them a blanket exemption to get out of these programs is problematic.”
Lawmakers Seek Balance
State Sen. Shannon Grove, the author of the bill, acknowledged that the amendments may have raised concerns. However, she expressed optimism that the language could be improved as the bill continues through the legislative process. “While I have concerns about the amendments, I remain optimistic that we can work to improve the language as the bill continues through the legislative process,” said Grove.
The Impact of Smog Checks
Under current state law, every vehicle owner must get a smog check every other year unless their vehicle is 8 years old or newer, is an alternative vehicle like an electric car, or is model year 1975 and older. If a vehicle fails, the owner must repair it and have it tested again until it passes before they can get it registered. Over the past two years, approximately 342,000 vehicles with a 1976-1990 model year were given smog check tests, according to the state Bureau of Automotive Repair. About 68,000 of those vehicles, or 20% of all vehicles with those model years, failed the smog check.
Conclusion
The fate of Jay Leno’s bill to exempt older cars from smog checks in California remains uncertain. While some car collectors and enthusiasts have expressed support for the bill, health groups and clean air advocates have raised concerns about the potential impact on air quality. As the bill continues through the legislative process, lawmakers will need to find a balance between protecting the interests of classic car owners and ensuring public health.