by California Rejects Bill to Reduce Environmental Requirements for Classic Cars
California, often called the world’s car capital, has strict rules for registering classic vehicles. On August 29, the State Assembly’s Appropriations Committee blocked Senate Bill 712, also known as the “Leno Act.”
Bill Details
Despite bipartisan support in the Senate, the legislative initiative aimed at easing the ownership of classic cars has now ceased to exist. However, there remains some hope for future changes.
SB 712 proposed creating a rolling exemption from smog checks for any vehicle 35 years old or older. Currently, every vehicle manufactured after 1976 must undergo a smog check every two years to confirm registration. For vehicles with OBDII ports, this is not a major issue, but for vehicles without such ports, the process becomes complicated as it requires the use of a dynamometer and special equipment.
Vehicles subject to these requirements constitute less than one percent of the 13 million cars in California.
Reactions and Opposition
Senator Shannon Grove led the effort to advance the law, receiving support from Jay Leno and industry groups such as SEMA. On the other hand, environmental organizations, including the American Lung Association, warned that this would weaken clean air protections. In their view, the “Leno Act” was a step back from climate goals, even if the projected emissions were not massive. Senators attempted to save the bill through amendments, such as requiring historical license plates or reducing the years of compliance, but this failed.
I am disappointed and disheartened that the ‘Leno Act’ was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing, effectively killing the bill. I worked behind the scenes, meeting with legislators and decision-makers to give the ‘Leno Act’ the best chance. Unfortunately, the cost assigned to this bill by the concerned departments was very high, — Grove said in a Facebook post.
Federal Context
Interestingly, there is another potential factor that could influence the situation. H.R. 4117, known as the “Fuel Emissions Freedom Act,” was introduced at the federal level on June 24, 2025, and could change everything. This large-scale proposal aims to “amend the Clean Air Act to repeal the establishment of motor vehicle emissions and fuel standards, and for other purposes.”
In short, the bill would repeal both federal and state authority to set emissions and fuel economy standards, completely nullifying California’s smog regulations.
The issue of environmental standards for classic cars remains relevant in the context of global efforts to reduce air pollution. While the rejection of SB 712 may disappoint enthusiasts, it also highlights the importance of balancing heritage preservation with environmental responsibility. Future legislative initiatives, such as the federal H.R. 4117, may open new opportunities for discussing this topic, considering both economic and environmental aspects.
