SB 712: Smog check: motor vehicles: exemption.

Official summary

Legislative Counsel’s Digest (official, as of the latest version). Written by nonpartisan legislative staff; reproduced verbatim.

Existing law establishes a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance (smog check) program that is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs. The smog check program requires inspection of motor vehicles upon initial registration, biennially upon renewal of registration, upon transfer of ownership, and in certain other circumstances. Existing law exempts specified vehicles from being inspected biennially upon renewal of registration, including, among others, all motor vehicles manufactured prior to the 1976 model year. Existing law also exempts from specified portions of the smog test, both biennially and at transfer, a collector motor vehicle that is insured as a collector motor vehicle, is at least 35 model years old, complies with the exhaust emissions standards for that motor vehicle’s class and model year as prescribed by the department, and that passes a functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks.

This bill would, commencing on January 1, 2027, additionally fully exempt from the smog check requirements, both biennially and at transfer, a motor vehicle that was manufactured prior to the 1981 model year, has been assigned a special identification plate indicating that it is a historical vehicle, and is insured as a collector motor vehicle, as specified. The bill, beginning January 1, 2028, would expand this exemption by one model year, every year, for 5 years. The bill would be known, and may be cited as, Leno’s Law.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4 · Republican 20

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. August 29, 2025August 29 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
2. August 20, 2025August 20 set for first hearing. Placed on APPR. suspense file.
3. July 16, 2025Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.
4. July 15, 2025From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 14. Noes 0.) (July 14).
5. June 16, 2025Referred to Com. on TRANS.
6. June 5, 2025In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.
7. June 4, 2025Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 32. Noes 3. Page 1520.) Ordered to the Assembly.
8. May 28, 2025Read second time and amended. Ordered to third reading.
9. May 27, 2025From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 5. Noes 1. Page 1210.) (May 23).
10. May 16, 2025Set for hearing May 23.
11. April 28, 2025April 28 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
12. April 17, 2025Set for hearing April 28.