Leno's Law kicks into high gear at California Capitol

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — Late-night legend Jay Leno hit the accelerator on the jokes Tuesday while standing outside the California Capitol.

A classic car enthusiast and former “The Tonight Show” host, Leno urged support for a bill that would exempt collector cars from the state’s smog check law if their model year is at least 35 years old. Dubbed Leno’s Law, the bill appeared that day before the state Senate Transportation Committee.

The passage of Senate Bill 712 appeared certain, as the committee chairperson and bill coauthor spoke in favor of it at a Tuesday morning press conference, along with Leno. The bill passed 9 to 2 and now proceeds to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“I know there’s nothing more annoying than Hollywood people involved in politics,” Leno joked, adding later: “I put more miles on it looking for smog stations than I do driving it.”

Existing law already provides a partial exemption to certain collector cars, though they must undergo other portions of the smog check. The bill — written by state Senator Shannon Grove, a Bakersfield Republican — would eliminate the partial smog check requirement, as well as the need to prove a car is insured as a collector vehicle.

According to Leno, smog stations can examine newer vehicles much quicker because a machine is used to test the car. Classic cars are different, requiring much more time for a check, and, in many cases, the shops don’t have the necessary equipment.

“Here’s how advanced it’s gotten,” Leno quipped. “The other day, I got flipped off by a driverless car.”

Similar laws exist in other states, Leno said, and he asked that California classic car owners receive the same treatment states like Nevada and Washington provide.

Grove said 1% of the state’s 30 million vehicles are considered classic. Those vehicles typically are well-maintained and used for shows and parades, not everyday driving.

“Leno’s Law is a commonsense measure,” she added.

As classic cars arrived Tuesday at the Capitol, state Senator Brian Jones advocated for his own, unrelated legislation before the Senate Public Safety Committee.

Senate Bill 286, written by the San Diego Republican, would remove several sexually related convictions that currently qualify for elderly parole. That existing program allows parole as a consideration once someone reaches 50 years of age and has served at least 20 years of their sentence.

“This is about honoring the promises made to victims,” said Jones, who argued that victims must regularly appear at parole hearings for people facing life sentences.

The bill passed out of committee and now advances to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Mary Johnson, one of two people for whom Mary-Bella’s Law is named, questioned committee members on when perpetrators became victims and why serving a complete sentence became wrong. She urged passage of the bill, as did over two dozen others.

Gary Harrell, who called himself a former lifer who spent decades in prison on a murder-related charge, opposed the bill. Over his time behind bars, he worked on bettering himself, along with other men who saw themselves become grandfathers while incarcerated. Some friends died before their release.

“I have taken so much from others, and now it’s my time to give back,” Harrell said.

Initially included on the list of crimes prohibited from elderly parole consideration, murder has since been removed.

Democrats and Republicans on the committee expressed support for the bill.

“Somewhere are victims being left out in the cold,” said state Senator Kelly Seyarto, a Murrieta Republican.

Lawmakers have introduced over 2,000 bills this session, which Assemblymember Chris Rogers, a Santa Rosa Democrat, said focused on real issues. Appearing before the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee on Tuesday, he called his bill — which would name Bigfoot the state cryptid — a fun bill.

“We’re going to start with a really hairy topic this morning,” Rogers said.

A cryptid is a creature from stories that hasn’t been proven to exist. The committee’s chair, Democratic Assemblymember Chris Ward, noted that a handful of other cryptids exist throughout California. He was cautious in highlighting only one and gave no recommendation on it.

That led Rogers to joke that Ward, of San Diego, was in the pocket of the “chupacabra lobby.”

The bill failed to get a motion and remained held in committee.