California Smog Exemption Bill 712 ~ Leno's Law

[fxr]

[Abscate]

These things are sausage making in the extreme. The horse trading that goes on behind these changes is mind boggling. Little point watching until the vote.
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[calsurf]

Thanks for the updates. I've been following this bill. So far so good, but like anything here in our lovely state, things can change at any given moment. But, at this point it looks promising. We'll see if Newsome will or won't sign. It's been great having Jay Leno as a spokesman of sort. Keep it going Jay.

[Xevin]

This thread has 42 responses and over 4000 views on a specialty VW website. Probably more effort than Sacramento law makers put into to this topic. Keep fighting a good fight California classic car enthusiasts.
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Keep on Busin'

[termuehlen]

Any vehicle built after 1995 can be checked with a scan tool and if there are no codes, it should be operating in conformance with smog laws. The only reason to have smog test stations in California right now is to test vehicles built between 1975 and 1995. At some point in time, the number of vehicles built in that time frame still on the road in California should not be worth all of the supporting infrastructure. It is however still a revenue generating program for a lot of operators and I would imagine that it will be hard to put this entire system to rest.
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[Braukuche]

Looks like the bill sponsor will try to get the rider removed before full vote.
“ The Senate Appropriations Committee has added new language to the bill, which I look forward to reviewing. 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,” concluded Senator Shannon Grove.”
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Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

[kamzcab86]

California Legislature Pumps The Brakes On Jay Leno’s Classic Cars Bill
Steven Symes
Tue, June 3, 2025 at 7:30 AM MST

The California Legislature is pumping the brakes on Jay Leno’s classic cars bill which would help them be exempt from smog checks. In its original form, Bill SB 712, what some had dubbed “Leno’s Law,” would have meant cars 35 years and older wouldn’t be subjected to a smog test every two years to maintain their registration.

Raining on the parade are health groups who genuinely think there are mass amounts of Californians who would be driving around in old junkers to the extent it would result in far worse pollution. These are the same people with a ruler measuring the height of your front lawn.

Because those groups have powerful lobbyists in Sacramento, state lawmakers have bowed to their wishes, trimming back Leno’s Law. Before it left committee for the Senate floor, two amendments were added, restricting what classic cars would be exempt from smog checks, reports Santa Cruz Sentinel.

State Sen. Aisha Wahab, a Democrat from Fremont who voted no on the bill in committee was highly critical of the exemptions, even with the amendments. “Clean air is a necessity. Collecting cars is a hobby. I do not support rolling back progress on a public health issue we have spent decades trying to improve.”

The first amendment says a vehicle would have to be 35 years or older and have a historical license plate. That means owners must shell out an additional $25 beyond regular state registration fees. It also means that under state law the car can “only be driven in historical exhibitions, parades or historic vehicle club activities.”

On top of that, the second amendment says owners must carry collector car insurance for the vehicle, which sets restrictions on how many miles the vehicle can be driven in a year. The whole point is there’s paranoia that this law would see old clunkers be driven daily, filling California cities with more smog.

We’re just not surprised by this development. After all, whenever us gearheads try to have fun, some health or environmental Karens inevitably come along and try ruining it. They get our tracks closed, complain if exhausts aren’t whisper-quiet, and try to portray every car enthusiast as a criminal who doesn’t contribute to society.

Sadly, California used to be one of the best places for the car hobby. But as the state government has exerted increasing control over all aspects of life there, many enthusiasts have fled the state for greener pastures. We wonder if Leno’s Bill will be changed further and if it will even pass.
https://autos.yahoo.com/california-legislature-pumps-brakes-jay-143000871.html


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~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[tjet]

[Erik G]

[tjet]

It's real. I took it last week visiting my dad. I was driving through Needles.

[?Waldo?]

Let me guess, it was the first and only pump off the freeway with the next one 50 miles farther through the Mojave Desert or some such. Places that CAN charge exorbitant prices, often DO. That's true all across the country. Even if it is actual recent pic, that's till a BS representation of typical fuel prices in CA.

[fxr]

We've through Needles at least a couple of times. That Chevron (spit) station has always been at least twice the price of gas a couple of miles further on over the border in AZ - currently $3.03 at the Shell station - and I bet the cheapest there is well under $3.00.

Here in Pleasant Hill you can often see over $1 difference between the Chevron price and the one over the road.

I never buy at Chevron on principle - I don't understand anyone who does!
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Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[tjet]

[crazyvwvanman]

Chevron stations tyically highest but Calif gasoline is generally higher than most of the country.'

https://www.gasbuddy.com/gaspricemap?lat=38.822395&lng=-96.591588&z=4


Mark

[dobryan]

Just drove 101 from San Fran to Olympic NP. Gas in CA was $5.00 to $5.50/gal.
Unless you bought at a casino on the reservation, then it was at least a dollar cheaper... YMMV.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[syncrodoka]

It passed the CA state senate yesterday 32-3. On to the next step

[zerotofifty]

[zerotofifty]

[zerotofifty]

[tjet]

Guys please... Lets not get crazy. My photo shows how high the gas prices can get in CA, but it does not represent the average high price.

What I don't like is how the state of California wants to "punish" you with exuberant taxes for not buying an EV. Similar to how they tax cigarettes.