California lawmakers have rejected a bill that would have exempted classic cars from the state’s stringent smog-check requirements. The bill, known as Senate Bill 712, was championed by Bakersfield Republican Senator Shannon Grove and supported by former late-night host Jay Leno. Despite Leno’s testimony earlier this year, the Assembly Appropriations Committee blocked the bill from advancing to a full vote on Friday.
The bill aimed to exempt cars manufactured before 1981 from mandatory emissions testing every two years. It would have applied only to vehicles with special “historical vehicle” license plates and those insured as “collector motor vehicles.” According to the Monterey Herald, Leno argued that smog testing older cars is challenging and costly, often requiring specialized equipment that is hard to find.
However, the proposal faced significant opposition from environmental groups and state officials who warned that it could potentially cost the state money. The California Air Resources Board estimated it would cost $1.2 million to update air quality models and revise pollution-reduction plans. Additionally, the Bureau of Automotive Repair and the Department of Motor Vehicles could lose revenue from smog check and vehicle license fees.
Despite passing the full Senate and another Assembly committee, the bill was placed on the committee’s “suspense file,” where it was quietly killed along with 70 other bills. Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, the committee’s chairperson, cited budget constraints as a reason for rejecting the bill, emphasizing the need to prioritize the state’s social safety net.
Senator Grove expressed disappointment, stating that the decision let down classic car enthusiasts across California. The bill had garnered support from various car clubs and the California Automotive Wholesalers’ Association but faced opposition from clean air advocates.
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