• Jay Leno supports California SB 712, dubbed 'Leno's Law,' exempting vehicles 35+ years old from smog checks.
• Proponents argue the bill supports classic car enthusiasts and has minimal environmental impact, while opponents claim older vehicles pollute significantly more.
• The bill is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee and faces opposition from environmental groups concerned about increased air pollution.

Former Tonight Show host Jay Leno is advocating for SB 712, a California bill that would exempt vehicles 35 years or older from the state's smog check requirements. Supporters, including classic car owners and car clubs, argue that the bill would encourage the restoration of classic cars and have a minimal impact on air quality. Opponents, including environmental and health groups, contend that older vehicles produce significantly more pollution than newer models, and the exemption would worsen air quality and public health.

• What: California Senate Bill 712 (SB 712) proposes exempting vehicles 35 years or older from mandatory smog checks.
• Who: Jay Leno, State Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), classic car owners, environmental and health groups, California Air Pollution Control Officers Association, California legislators.
• When: The bill was introduced in the California State Senate in 2025. The final decision is expected in the next two weeks as of May 8, 2025.
• Where: California, specifically the California State Capitol in Sacramento and the California State Senate.

The proposed bill, supported by Jay Leno, highlights the tension between preserving automotive heritage and protecting air quality. The central debate revolves around whether the environmental impact of exempting older vehicles from smog checks is negligible or significant. Arguments from the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association emphasize the potential for substantial increases in emissions, while supporters of the bill downplay the impact, citing the small number of affected vehicles and their limited use. The bill's fate hinges on balancing these competing concerns and addressing the potential financial implications for the state's DMV.

I know there’s nothing more annoying than Hollywood people involved in politics. But this one’s important to me. I’m an enthusiast.

It’s less than 1% of the cars on the road. We’re talking about classic car collectors. They cruise around the park. They participate in parades. It’s a very minimal impact. These are car enthusiasts. This gives people an opportunity to restore classic cars they related to in their youth. It’s so few vehicles.

This is one of the most problematic air quality bills of the year. Older vehicles pollute a lot more than modern vehicles. It’s that much more important to have them in the program to protect against millions of extra miles of smog emissions that would come as a result.

You don’t want to make criminals out of people. You have a lot of people, they drive an older car. They have had it a long time. They maintain it. They say I can’t get it smogged, so now they’ve got to sneak around, or get a guy to give them a phony piece of paper.

SB 712, supported by Jay Leno, seeks to exempt older vehicles from California's smog check requirements. While proponents emphasize the preservation of automotive heritage and the limited environmental impact, opponents raise concerns about increased air pollution from older vehicles. The bill's future remains uncertain as it awaits a final decision from the Senate Appropriations Committee. The outcome will likely depend on balancing the interests of classic car enthusiasts with broader environmental and public health considerations.